More Indian Insights - 5 Walls That Block God's Peace in Cities
By S. Crawley
Photo by Annika Gordon on Unsplash
Recently, I had the privilege of listening to Indian movement leaders share their perspectives and experiences on discipleship movements in cities.
God challenged their senior leader with a vision for the cities of India, and spoke particularly through the story of Joshua and the Israelites conquering Jericho - a city with tall, strong walls that could only be broken down supernaturally.
In today’s post we’ll take a look at some of the key urban challenges they identified - the invisible "walls" they believe prevent the fullness of God's peace touching and blessing their cities.
1. Walls Within the Body of Christ
Invisible walls divide God's people.
Where different parts of the Body work together, good things happen!
At the same time, the social and political realities and the complexity of the urban world often get in the way.
These leaders observed that although unity is a popular topic of discussion and everyone agrees it is important, it is not so often practiced. People will gladly pray for unity, but grounding the ideal in action and actual collaboration is much harder.
There is a need to come together around a Kingdom vision and set aside personal interests or the temptation to protect organisational territory.
2. Walls Between Church Communities and the Broader Indian Community
There is a need to challenge and break the invisible wall of separation between followers of Jesus and those around them.
In the view of these leaders, many churches in their country have become Christian bubbles within the wider community.
God's people are called to be a blessing to those around them, but without relational connection this is very difficult. The leaders spoke of a specific historic church building in one city that is located very close to a political power centre in India. Despite an active congregation for more than a century and the close proximity to government decision makers, there is no overlap between the two communities.
Similarly, many Christians live in communities surrounded by people who don't know Jesus, but there is often little interaction between Jesus’ people and those around them.
Intentional engagement is needed at every level to start to bring down these walls.
3. Walls Between Groups in the City
Invisible social walls divide the city.
People are divided from each other by their education, their financial situation, religion, caste, and whether they are long-term residents of the city or recent migrants looking for work.
Some of these barriers are deep-seated and make discipleship movement challenging. The Indian leaders reflected that they have seen discipleship spread within certain communities but not spreading into other groups - it’s like the Gospel hits an invisible social wall.
Diverse workers, teams and strategies are needed to engage the complexity of the city. Then the walls will come down as people find a shared identity in Jesus as beloved of God (Galatians 3:28).
4. Walls Blocking the Privileged from Gospel Flow
The easiest people to access are often those at the margins of society.
Where life is financially difficult, service through health, education, employment and even housing readily open doors. These groups are usually the first we think of when we think about reaching cities, and the Indian leaders have faithfully sown into those spaces - bringing wholeness and hope to disadvantaged urban communities, connecting relationally and serving spiritual hunger through discipleship.
However, there are many other groups in the city who are covered for health, education and employment. The middle and upper classes, government officials and the higher castes have different felt needs and often their brokenness is less obvious.
There is a need to think outside the traditional categories to forge relationships and find ways to enter and serve ‘privileged’ communities.
5. Walls created by Christian Traditions
In recent years, the leaders note growing community opposition to traditional Christian Sunday worship practises.
Many churches gather in homes in residential neighbourhoods, and loud singing has become an important aspect of their worship. This is not appreciated by neighbours who want to rest and are disturbed by the noise. With changing political conditions in recent years, there have been increasing instances of neighbours calling the police and complaints being lodged, leading to severe consequences.
Traditional worship practices, then, cause ill-feeling towards Christians and Jesus, as well as resulting in hardship for Christians.
Churches that prioritize neighbourly love over tradition build stronger community relationships, according to these Indian movement leaders. When churches adapt their practices and neighborhood engagement—even setting aside cherished traditions—neighbours become more likely to actively support and protect them during difficult times.
Sometimes Christian traditions create walls to hearts that are otherwise open and receptive.
What About Your City?
We've just looked at five walls observed by Indian movement leaders in their context, and some possible ways to break them down.
What about your city?
For Reflection
As you think about God's vision for your city and/or affinity group:
1. Read Ephesians 2:14-18 and prayerfully ask God to lead you in prayer for your city.
2. Which of these five walls most resonates with what you observe in your own context?
3. What opportunities do you have for peer learning and collaboration with others to break down one or more of these walls?
Discipling the Urban Harvest provides practical insights and encouragement to walk with God in multiplying discipleship in an increasingly urban world - growing as children of the Father, serving the communities He has called us to, and discipling those hungry to know Him.