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(More customer reviews)A healthy church is not just a preaching church or a hub for social justice; a God-honouring gospel-loving church is one where the Word of God is the primary motivator for doing the work of God, according to Darrin Patrick and Matt Carter in this book. The book tells the stories of Matt's The Austin Stone church in Texas, and Darrin's The Journey church in St Louis, Missouri.
Matt's first experience of Austin involved a drive-by shooting and a street brawl, but his friend Chris Tomlin talked him into starting a church there. It was to be a church for the city, in the urban centre of Austin. Attenders are organized into missional communities rather than traditional small groups. The For The City Network helps to co-ordinate the good work already being done by non-profit organizations and deploys people from the church to help the activities of those organizations.
Darrin's desire to plant a church grew out of the frustration of not being able to find a church that would connect with his athletic friends or his girlfriend's artistic friends. He arrived in St Louis in 2001 to plant The Journey, welcomed by gunshots and his car being stolen. The church has three main ministries for serving the city: a community development ministry called Mission: St Louis, a ministry aimed at repairing the church's relationship with artists called The Luminary Center, and a Christian counselling ministry called Karis House.
Both authors are gifted writers, and I found the relatively short book highly engaging throughout. The authors' failures are mentioned alongside their successes, helping the reader to believe that planting a gospel-centred mission-focused church for the city really is possible, and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. I highly recommend the book to all church leaders.
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Within ten years, nine out of ten people will claim 'no religious affiliation.' Many of these people will live in urban areas. Church leaders must learn how to effectively engage in ministry with this urban core, a group that includes both the poor and marginalized as well as the wealthy and influential. This book will guide readers in developing a philosophy of ministry that can lead to restoration and renewal in their city.Matt Carter and Darrin Patrick explain the biblical, theological, and historical foundations of ministry within the urban core and how to plant churches where the gospel is not only faithfully preached and shared but also brings substantial benefits to those living in the community. For the City relates the wisdom gleaned from years of serving their cities for the sake of God's kingdom. Carter and Patrick practically equip church leaders and Christians to look at their city as a mission field where individuals and churches can faithfully proclaim the gospel and live out the reality of a community changed and transformed by its message.
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