A Lost Cause

When you think of a city, do you immediately think of something negative? Gangs, garbage, and gridlock? Crowds, crime, and corruption? Maybe you think instead of the positive side of city life: jobs, excitement, and interesting things to do, from parks and zoos to fine restaurants, from concerts to professional sports. Sadly, though, when you mention cities, for most people words like church, faith, or ministry don't immediately spring to mind. According to American Demographics (October, 1997), given a choice, fewer than one in 10 Americans say they would prefer to live in a large city, and six in 10 say they wouldn't even consider buying a home in any major city.

The Bible describes urban problems with stark realism. The first person to build a city was the angry, violent Cain (Genesis 4:17). The prideful Babylonians built an elaborate city complete with an ancient skyscraper (Genesis 11:1-9). David wrote, "I see violence and strife in the city. . . . malice and abuse are within it. Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets" (Psalm 55:9-11).

Yet the Bible also pictures for us the perfect city the Lord is preparing for the faithful. In the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem, there will be no potholes in the streets paved with gold. No crime, homelessness, or hopelessness there. No dark alleys, for the glory of God will light up every street corner. No disharmony between races. Instead, "the glory and honor of the nations" will be brought into that wonderful city (Revelation 21:21-27).

In the meantime, how can God use us to bring the kingdom of Heaven to the cities of our world? There are no easy answers. Urban Christians face big challenges: reaching the very poor and the very rich, reaching restless children and teens, confronting cults and alternative religions, developing stable leaders in transient communities—all while dealing daily with what urban ministry specialist Ray Bakke calls "psychological overload" (the way a city assaults one's senses with pollution, noise, and a hectic pace of life). Overcoming tough odds, many urban ministers serve productively despite receiving little acknowledgment or support from the larger body of Christ.

But urban ministry matters to all of us, for no one can escape urban influence today. Through radio, TV, newspapers, satellite dishes, and the Internet, even someone who lives in a remote log cabin comes into daily contact with urban culture. If water were pouring onto your kitchen floor, you'd try to mop it up; but you'd also try to turn off the faucet and shut down the source of the problem. If influential cities are pouring spiritual poison, it's not enough for Christians to try frantically to mop up the water. Thank the Lord for the growing number of committed servants who dare to confront the devil's strongholds on the urban frontlines of our culture.

Urban ministry isn't a lost cause. Today, many Christians are learning to see the possibilities of urban evangelism, not just the problems. Suburban churches are building partnerships with urban congregations. Young people are volunteering to serve internships with inner-city churches. New churches are being planted. Christian colleges are offering urban ministry courses. More people are praying for the gospel to advance in the cities.

Urban people need Christ no more and no less than anyone else. But wherever they live, people need to know the love of Christ who wept for a city full of lost people he came to save (Luke 19:41).

That's our cause too. Let's not lose it.