Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 5

So much in effective urban mission involves listening and discerning.

In this article, I'm going to zoom in on seeking out the hunger that He is stirring up within the affinity. How can we be confident there is hunger for God's Kingdom? What might that hunger look like?

"That might work in African or Asian villages, but it can't happen here."

Yet in Finland, one of Europe's most secular and individualistic nations, a different story is emerging.

Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 4

In this series we're walking through a 4-step framework for engaging urban affinity groups.
This post continues “Step 2”. How do we discern how God is already at work in our urban villages? Observing and 'listening' are crucial steps before identifying how we might join Him and serve.

Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 3

Identifying affinity groups helps us break the complexity of the city into bite-size chunks.

Understanding “Urban Villages” helps us take the next step in recognising the opportunities God has placed around us.

B.L.E.S.S. Before You Gather: A Simple Prayer Strategy for Christmas

Christmas is coming! Family gatherings, office parties, and other celebrations create opportunities for meaningful connection. Are we spiritually prepared for these opportunities?

Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 2

Cities are complex. It's easy to spread ourselves too thin across different activities, relationships and commitments.
As we seek to engage affinities in our city, we can often maximise our Kingdom contribution by starting where we are.

Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 1

How do we practically engage affinity groups? Is there a reliable approach to engaging our cities with the Kingdom of God that is relational, natural and led by the Father rather than formulas or rules?

Cities are complex. There is so much need. So many opportunities and possibilities. You know God is calling you to engage in the urban harvest. You know the task is too big to accomplish by yourself. You know you need a team, but where do you start?

I have had a number of cross-cultural assignments in over the last 25 years. The "what" was clear. Less clear was the "how". Each urban context is different. There are no guaranteed formulae to success. However, we are seeing patterns across different cities.

It can be tough carrying a burden for discipleship movement in cities! There can be great encouragement from learning with and from the experiences of peers. That's why peer learning is an important part of the work we are doing in cities.

We previously looked at how population growth and technology have increased the complexity of our cities.
These changes have important implications for urban ministry. These implications confront us with pressing questions that must be addressed if we want to see God’s vision for our cities fulfilled. We will look at three of them here.

God's Kingdom is fundamentally relational and cities have changed the way people relate. The better we understand this, the better we are empowered to sow Kingdom seed that invites people into a renewed relationship with our Father-King.