The Church's Role in the City

"In the global and polygot cities of Los Angeles and New York, the church is engaged in evangelism, reconciliation, community organizing, and community development. But even these categories do not capture the full range of congregational involvement in sustaining and healing urban communities. Church members in these cities are bringing a 'politics of the Spirit' to bear on every area of life. . . .
Large parts of Brooklyn, Harlem, and the South Bronx, once so battered as to be national symbols of urban ruin, have been rebuilt. The involvement of local government was essential (especially in land disposition and financing), but vital catalysts in many instances were local community groups, especially congregations, who prayed, organized, and invested their resources and lives in renewing their neighborhoods. Today, as people herald a 'renaissance' in neighborhoods such as the South Bronx and Harlem, it is important to remember that the commitment of the churches often made the initial and most substantial differences" (Mark Gornik,To Live in Peace, 14–15).

Urban Ministry Conference at Tenth Church
March 6–8, 2009
Visit www.tenth.org for more information.