Urban congregations have special opportunities to create identities as diverse centers of worship, community, culture, and care. Learn about the particular challenges and opportunities facing urban congregations, as you identify models of ministry that could work in your congregation.

To learn more, click on Approaches to Urban Congregations. Then, check out the basic and in-depth resources listed below!

RELIGION IN AMERICA : Urban Congregations 

A Disturbing Approach to Social Justice Ministry: Challenging What's Comfortable (Web Resource)
Urging churches to balance pastoral with prophetic ministry, Doug Bailey prays for God to "disturb" churches from comfort zones into bold ministry. In this interview, he draws on his immersion learning workshops and urban ministry experiences.

Downtown Church: The Heart of the City (Book)
Howard Edington, Author.  Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1996.
Downtown Church suggests ways for an urban congregation to partner with its surrounding city, build a highly qualified staff, and attract and retain newcomers.

Seminary Consortium for Christian Urban Pastoral Education (Organization)
In partnership with other organizations and institutions, the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education provides consultation and pastoral experience and training in urban issues and systems.

Spirit in the Cities: Searching for Soul in the Urban Landscape (Book)
Kathryn Tanner, Editor.  Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press, 2004.
This thin book presents thick theological and sociological analysis on such topics as economic dislocation, immigration, new architecture, and other concerns that have transformed the physical, social, and religious landscape of large cities.

Urban Churches, Vital Signs: Beyond Charity Toward Justice (Book)
Nile Harper, Editor.  Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005.
Each of the 28 urban churches whose stories appear in this book has been rejuvenated into a community ministry center by launching social service and economic development projects and by taking political action to achieve justice for marginalized groups.