Cities and Towns

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How should we care for the built environment in the cities and towns where we live? “If the church is to be a witness to the Heavenly City,” architect Philip Bess reminds us, “Christians must once again be not only good patrons of architecture, but also (and even more) good patrons of urbanism.”

Lee Hardy traces the public policy decisions and cultural ideals that emptied urban populations into degrading suburban landscapes. For the early Christians, Barry Harvey writes, the Church was “another city," so we cannot withdraw into private religious experience or worship in congregations that are functionally equivalent to gated communities. Bryan Hollon suggests that the intentional urban communities of the New Monastic movement can teach us about faithful discipleship.

Holistic inner-city ministry is possible, Amy Sherman points out,
when we look to the Old Testament prophets Elisha and Jeremiah
for inspiration. Eric Jacobsen urges us to be discerning partners with the New Urbanists in traditional neighborhood development.

Christian Reflection is an ideal resource for discipleship training in the church. Multiple copies are available for group study at $3.00 per copy.

The study guides and lesson plans integrate Bible study, prayer, and worship to help us articulate and live into a Christian view of marriage. The guides can be used in a series or individually. You may download and reproduce them for personal or group use.