Why the Future of the Church is Urban (and We’re Not Ready) | Timothy Keller скачать в хорошем качестве

Why the Future of the Church is Urban (and We’re Not Ready) | Timothy Keller

"Tim Keller outlines a strategic vision for reaching cities, emphasizing their biblical significance and growing global influence. Cities are hubs of human capital and innovation, attracting the next generation, the poor, and unreached people groups. Because urban populations are expanding faster than the church, Keller argues that a focused effort is required to prevent the church from falling behind. According to the sources, effective urban ministry requires a ""gospel movement"" structured as a symbiotic ecosystem. This movement consists of three concentric rings: 1. Gospel Theology: A shared theological vision for communicating the gospel in a specific time and place. 2. Church Planting: Vital movements across various denominations to reach a broad range of people. 3. Specialist Ministries: Interactive organizations focused on united prayer, campus outreach, justice and mercy, and faith-work integration. Keller notes that urban churches must be distinct, showing extreme sensitivity to cultural differences, pursuing justice in their neighborhoods, and helping congregants integrate their faith with their professional work. The ultimate objective is to reach a gospel movement tipping point, where growth becomes spontaneous and self-sustaining. When 10% to 15% of a city becomes Christian, it reaches a city tipping point that can fundamentally shift the broader culture. Keller describes these strategic efforts as building an altar, preparing the city for God to sovereignly ""send down the fire"". To understand the scale of this task, consider the analogy of a skyscraper. Just as a skyscraper requires a deep foundation and a complex internal infrastructure to stand tall in a crowded city, a gospel movement requires deep theological foundations and a complex network of interdependent ministries to transform an entire urban society. "