CITY PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CITY

To train and instill a philosophy that will seek to promote community improvements by mobilizing various groups to serve the city for the glory of God.

PURPOSE

CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

A city can be defined as a geographical location that possesses a people who create a life that is organized around a governance, creating a culture, language, and customs that makes it readily unique.

Scripture refers to cities typically as “mothers,” and her smaller communities or towns as children. (Num 21:25; 32:42 and Josh 15:45)

GOD’S CONCERN FOR THE CITY

• Jeremiah 29:7•Seeking the welfare of the city•Praying for the city

• Job 24:12•The dying groans•The wounded cries

• Jonah 4:11•The people of the city •The economy of the city

• Matthew 23:37-39•The city’s greatest need

OBJECTIONS TO THE WELFARE OF THE CITY Moral Relativism Cynicism NIMBY Individualism Failure to understand the Gospel of

Grace

THOUGHT TO CONSIDER

“You know the place where we placed atIt's like loves been erased they replaced thatThere's no food in the crib where they plates

at”

Trip Lee, Invade

WHY THE WELFARE OF CITIES AND COMMUNITIES IS IMPORTANT

Cities and communities are a reflection of the hearts of the existing people

Cities and communities are connected culturally, economically and socially

Cities and communities are to be reflections of God’s righteousness

Cities and communities will shine as the Gospel changes hearts.

FIVE MAJOR ENTITIES OF THE CITY

OUR CITY

The Church

Non-Profits

Local Business

City Government

Private Citizens

WHO ARE THESE ENTITIES?

PRIVATE CITIZENS

Individuals and families that make up the above five entities.

Spread across social and economic boundaries Ethnicities Income Poverty Employment Education

PRIVATE CITIZENS

Each citizen lives out his or her religion in the city Proverbs 4:23 Matthew 12:34

Emil Durkheim: Sacred and Secular Dualism Reductionism

Every citizen brings to the table a set of beliefs that impact the overall city

THOUGHT TO CONSIDER

‘The lifestyle of the city is religion made visible, faith reflected either toward

God or against him” Harvie M. Conn

THE CHURCH

is a united group of individuals under the banner of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their purpose is to provide the spiritual wisdom that governs individuals and families for all of life.

Denominations Leadership Niche

NON-PROFITS

are incorporated entities that seek to address a specific need that exist in a local, national or global setting.

Religious and Non-Religious Awareness Relief Development Foundations

LOCAL BUSINESSES

Generate specific goods and services that stimulate economic growth

Provide employment to citizens Owned by citizens who reside in the

city

CITY GOVERNMENT

Consist of executive, legislative and judicial branches who have elected officials charged with the infrastructure of a city. Executive: Mayor Legislative: City Council Judicial: District Judges

Infrastructure Services: Police/Fire; Emergency, Schools, Transportation,

Sewage and Water Regulations: city taxes, annexations, zoning, public events Finances: Collect city taxes, distribute grants and funding to

programs and departments Collaboration: Work with other entities to better protect and

provide for the citizens of the city

HOW CAN THESE FIVE WORK TO SEEK THE WELFARE OF THE CITY?

What can we bring to the table?

What is the

need?

The Church

Non-Profits

Local Business

City Government

Private Citizens

What can we bring to the table?

What can we bring to the table?

What can we bring to the table?

What can we bring to the table?

INTENDED CONSEQUENCES

Creates awareness Creates community Creates opportunity Stewardship of resources Stewardship of relationships

PARTNERSHIP MATRIX

INITIATIVE

PURPOSE

RESIDENTS

CHURCH NON-PROFITS

LOCAL BUSINESS

CITY GOV

3R’S Literacy Parents Oakwood

? ? School Board

Sewage ? ? ? ? Conway Corp

Sanitation

Recreation

? ? UW ? ?

Connect a specific initiative to the appropriate entitiesAlways involve residents in community with each initiativeResources include: finances, materials and labor

PRACTICAL EXERCISE

A low income community has met with your organization and has communicated that they would like to have a playground for children, adequate street lighting and begin growing their own foods.

Develop a plan to incorporate the five entities of your city to address these needs by using the partnership matrix.

REVIEW

The improved welfare of a city is a theme in Scripture

Cities are interconnected Effective partnerships begin with

understanding your city Partnerships are vital to proper

stewardship The local church can shape the religion

of the city and reflect a faith toward God

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION*

Who has God called us to serve? What are the five most pressing needs you see? What gifts do you currently possess that would

be beneficial? Where is God already working and how can you

join him? How does the gospel address the needs of the

group? If the group were to define “good news,” what

would the definition look like?*These questions inspired from Darren Patrick and Matt Carter, For the City, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010) , 115.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Ray Bakke, A Theology as Big as the City, (Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1997)

Matt Carter and Darren Patrick, For the City, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010)

Tim Keller, Generous Justice, (New York City: Dutton, 2010)

Harvie Conn and Manuel Ortiz, Urban Ministry, (Downers Grove:IVP, 2001)