To Transform a City Eric Swanson Portland CIR #totransformacity

The greatest migration in history Some wandered in desert wastelands, Finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Psalm 107:4-7

God is bringing the people to cities From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:26-27 The ends of the earth have come to the city

Cities today and tomorrow In 1900, 8 percent of people lived in cities As of May 2007 half the world’s population are now urban dwellers As of 12/11 the world’s population topped 7 billion More than 400 cities with population over one million By 2015 there will be more than –225 cities in Africa… –903 in Asia… –225 in Latin America… with population over 1 million people

Migration to Cities Shenzhen 1979 pop 25KShenzhen Today: Pop 11m

What is a city? “A city is a walkable, shared, mixed-use diverse area. It is a place of commerce, residence, culture and politics.” Tim Keller

Your place in the city “Since the earliest origins, urban areas have performed three separate, critical functions—the creation of sacred space, the provision of basic security, and the host for a commercial market…. Generally speaking, a glaring weakness in [in any of] these three aspects of urbanity has undermined life and leads to their eventual decline.” Joel Kotkin Will you provide that sacred space?

City Transformation Is the integration of the good news and the good deeds of Jesus so as to bring about spiritual and societal transformation

City Transformation Spiritual transformation occurs when people loving God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength Societal Transformation occurs when people are loving their neighbors as themselves Matthew 22:37-39

City Transformation Spiritual Transformation—Matthew 23:37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem….” Societal Transformation–Isaiah 65:17-25

Like personal transformation… I have been transformed—2 Cor 5:17 I am being transformed—Rom 12:2, 2 Cor 3:18 One day I will be transformed—Phil 3:21

City Transformation Spiritual transformation begins when believers have the same attitude towards a community as God has Societal transformation occurs when the secular society begins caring about the needs of the community as much as the church does

How Transformation Occurs

City Transformation occurs when…. the whole church takes the whole gospel to the whole city

The Whole Church Doesn’t include every church but can’t exclude any church

Unify around purpose not program Unity of Family Ephesians 4:3-5 Unity of Fellowship Romans 15:5-7 Unity of Function (purpose) John 17:23 Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace…one body…one spirit…one hope…one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all…. May the God…give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify God…Accept one another then… May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me

Purpose: to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me Congregation #1Congregation #2

Do you believe like I believe? “Centered Set” Do you care about what I care about? “Bounded Set” They partner around concerns People of good faith working together with people of good will

A city movement… …is a collection of centered sets

They unify around blessing This is what the Lord…says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon… “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because as it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:4-7

Needs and Dreams of the City Mandates and Desires of God Callings and Capacities of the Church Common Grace Salvation Service Control Evangelism is our ultimate motive, not our ulterior motive They understand the power of service

To Transform a City Eric Swanson