Discipling the City, Theological Reflections on Urban Mission

Written by Roger S. Greenway and Timothy M. Monsma Reviewed By Donald R. Davis

A significant contribution to the growing literature on urban culture and ministry has appeared in the new volume edited by Roger Greenway. It offers fresh thought to anyone concerned about speaking the gospel in the contemporary world. There are ten thought provoking chapters by scholars well qualified by experience and study to speak on the subject. Each author reflects a commitment to an evangelical view of Scripture as God’s authoritative Word for all that the church does and teaches. From this starting point each writer sees the gospel as touching on all dimensions of urban life. All of life, personal, social, political and economic are to be brought under the lordship of Christ and guided by his Word. The essential need for man to be personally related to God through faith in Christ is everywhere acknowledged. But the responsibility of the Christian for the totality of life and creation is seen as part of the church’s mission and witness in urban society. In general the authors express a Reformed persuasion even though they represent Reformed, Baptist, and Presbyterian traditions. They have lived and ministered in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America and they bring to their writings examples of urban life and ministry from cities around the world. This is a particularly helpful dimension of the book.

The range of the authors’ concerns is broad, since they are concerned with the lordship of Christ over all of life. Besides touching on the practical aspects of urban ministry, they deal with the deeper theological questions which must form the determining context for the church’s urban mission. What, for example, is the relationship of Christ to culture, the city of God to the city of man? Is the city the ‘citadel of sin’ to be avoided and even resisted by the church? Or is the city God’s goal for man even though it is in need of redemption? Harvie Conn traces the answers which the church has given throughout its history. He also shows the development of the modern secular city divorced from God and the influence of the church. E. Luther Copeland also deals with such questions. The views of such giants as H. Richard Neibuhr and Jacques Ellul are considered and evaluated in the light of biblical principles which must guide the evangelical Christian. The theologizing of the writers challenges the reader to careful and constructive thought, the kind of thinking the church must do if it is going to know its identity, place and mission in an urban world.

The more practical issues dealt with are all crucial for effective ministry in the city. Along with being theologically oriented, they are also seen in the light of current social, psychological and urban studies. This makes them especially useful. One chapter deals with church structures for urban ministry. It questions traditional patterns, calls for more flexibility and encourages small-group strategy. Another chapter looks at the concept of house churches led by leaders who are indigenous to one of the many cultures of the urban scene. Motivating, instructing, and training the laity for evangelism and ministry is the focus of another helpful study. The chapter on theological education for urban mission merits reading by every seminary instructor who is serious about relating the ministry of the church to the urban environment. There is a call for interaction with sociology, economics, anthropology and psychology. The chapter on the diaconate deals with the whole matter of Christian social service and action. The chapter is helpful in that it points to the usual hurts of urban society and makes practical suggestions on how to bring healing. It also stresses the need for an integrated witness which involves both word and deed. Another helpful chapter is on the subject of homogeneous groups and the way the church must relate to them. Ministry to homogeneous groups is examined in the biblical revelation as well as the call to unity and brotherhood in Christ. The tension is recognized and a call is made for a oneness in Christ which does not smother the various cultures of mankind. The treatment of the subject could go a long way in bringing multual understanding to the homogeneous—heterogeneous debate, related to evangelism and church growth.

This book is an outstanding volume and should be read and digested by every person who desires to be a witness to Christ in a world which is increasingly urban. It is by no means light reading. This is especially true of the two chapters by Harvie Conn. The book offers intellectual stimulation, spiritual inspiration and practical guidance to those who take seriously the great commission.


Donald R. Davis

Coordinator for Urban Ministries, Conservative Home Mission Society