Jesus' admonition to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19, NIV) resonates in the hearts of those who love Him supremely. Every individual must be given the opportunity to choose between life and death. This volume is a call to action-a plea for believers to work for their Savior by bringing the gospel to the millions of people in the city, strategies, methods, selecting and training workers, and lessons from Scripture. Yes, the work will require much effort, especially in our day and age. But Ellen G. White doesnÆt mince words: ôDo not hover over the churches to repeat over and over again the same truths to the people, while the cities are left in ignorance and sin, unwarned and unlabored forö (The Upward Look, p. 274). Book jacket.

In this book Harvie M. Conn and Manuel Ortiz address the vital work of the urban church as they trace the history of the city around the world, examine the biblical basis for urban mission, unpack the multifaceted identity of the city and discuss particular issues and needs of urban leadership.

Helping the city pastor or missionary develop an effective ministry, Thompson elaborates on seven critical principles necessary for an effective urban ministry. Following this discussion the book turns to two of the leading challenges of great cities. Other chapters address urban discipleship as the most effective approach to promote life transformation, planting churches in the difficult urban environment, and raising a family in the city. --from publisher description

We live in a unique moment in history. Right now, more people live in urban centers than ever before. This means that we have an unprecedented opportunity to influence the majority of the world through the church in the city. Helping us to make the most of this moment, urban pastors Justin Buzzard and Stephen Um lay out a compelling vision for cultural engagement and church planting in our world’s cities. If you’re looking for motivation to maintain a commitment to the city or for guidance as you consider going all in, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of urban life that informs, instructs, inspires, and answers questions including: Why cities are so important What the Bible says about cities How to overcome common issues and develop a plan for living missionally in the city Instead of retreating from or taking from our cities, here is a call to make the cities our home, to take good care of them, and to participate in God’s kingdom-building work in the urban centers of our world.

The Ephesus Model offers a proven plan for Adventist urban mission, Paul's method for evangelizing cities by focusing on making disciples on a large scale through an Advance Placement team, Leadership Team, Discipleship Groups, Urban Center of Influence, and new Church Plants.

Traditionally, the city has been the locus for the development of civilization. The scholars, the poets, the persons of commerce and politics came to the city for inspiration and acceptance. The city has been both an intriguing place and a place of intrigue. For weal or woe, the city fashions our culture while altering cultures. The person who wishes to analyze with competence the sociological and theological dimensions of the city would do well to study thoroughly 'Gospel for the Cities'. It is a study for us who live and work in the urban centers of North America as well as for the missionary today who must bring deep insight - biblical, historical, and sociological - to the awesome task of working in the cities of the twenty-first century across the world. We have waited long for this book. Msgr. John J. Egan, University of Notre Dame Many books have been written...about cities and urbanization. But in an era of severe compartmentalization in knowledge, they have come from specialists in one discipline. Thus, we have the sociology of the city, the city in history, or the challenge of the city to the church. Now [this unique volume] provides a genuine and compelling interface between competent social analysis and historical description with first-rate mission theology and a solid biblical perspective. This difficult task has been accomplished with depth and comprehensiveness by Benjamin Tonna in a book of particular relevance to the Third World, but useful to all of us committed to concern for the cities in God's world. George W. Webber, President, New York Theological Seminary

Practical and Gospel-centered thoughts on how to have a fruitful ministry by one of America's leading and most beloved pastor. Many church leaders are struggling to adapt to a culture that values individuality above loyalty to a group or institution. There have been so many "church growth" and "effective ministry" books in the past few decades that it's hard to know where to start or which ones will provide useful and honest insight. Based on over twenty years of ministry in New York City, Timothy Keller takes a unique approach that measures a ministry's success neither by numbers nor purely by the faithfulness of its leaders, but on the biblical grounds of fruitfulness. Center Church outlines a balanced theological vision for ministry organized around three core commitments: Gospel-centered: The gospel of grace in Jesus Christ changes everything, from our hearts to our community to the world. It completely reshapes the content, tone, and strategy of all that we do. City-centered: With a positive approach toward our culture, we learn to affirm that cities are wonderful, strategic, and under-served places for gospel ministry. Movement-centered: Instead of building our own tribe, we seek the prosperity and peace of our community as we are led by the Holy Spirit. "Between a pastor's doctrinal beliefs and ministry practices should be a well-conceived vision for how to bring the gospel to bear on the particular cultural setting and historical moment. This is something more practical than just doctrine but much more theological than "how-to steps" for carrying out a ministry. Once this vision is in place, it leads church leaders to make good decisions on how to worship, disciple, evangelize, serve, and engage culture in their field of ministry—whether in a city, suburb, or small town." — Tim Keller, Core Church

Find your life and true calling by losing yourself in the ordinary rhythms of life with the people God has placed around you. Popular blogger, Shannan Martin offers Christians who are longing for a more meaningful life a simple starting point: learn what it is to love and be loved right where God has placed you. What does it look like to live lives of meaning? And how do we do it between loads of laundry and reimagining leftovers? Where do we even begin? For Christ-followers living in an increasingly complicated world, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to live a life of intention and meaning. But in The Ministry of Ordinary Places, speaker and writer Shannan Martin offers a surprisingly simple answer: it’s about being with people, the ones right next door. As she walks you through her own story she challenges you to see your community through a wider lens of love, following in the footsteps of a Savior who came as an everyday man and spent his life circled up with regular folks just like us. Along the way, she shares discoveries about the vital importance of showing up and committing for the long haul, despite the inevitable encounters with brokenness and uncertainty. With transparency, humor, heart-tugging storytelling, and more than a little personal confession, Martin shows us that no matter where we live or how much we have, as we learn what it is to be with people as Jesus was, we'll find our very lives. The details will look quiet and ordinary, and the call will both exhaust and exhilarate us. But it will be the most worth-it adventure we will ever take and The Ministry of Ordinary Places will help guide you along the path.

Islam, gentrification, AIDS, and multiculturalism: Where do we face these realities? A few years ago, it was in the city. But today, many city dwellers are moving to the suburbs, either by choice or because of circumstances beyond their control. And this shift is changing both the urban and suburban landscape. With this shift in mind, editors John Fuder and Noel Castellanos have gathered together a team of experts to help you minister effectively in both the urban and suburban context. Divided into four sections--Critical Issues, Church-Planting Models, Ministering to Suburban Needs, and Para-Church Ministries--A Heart for the Community is a rich resource designed to help you do ministry today.