From the Worldwide Faith News archives www.wfn.org


ABC/USA SETS WORLDWIDE URBAN FOCUS


From RICH_SCHRAMM.parti@ecunet.org (RICH SCHRAMM)
Date 18 Feb 2000 05:47:51

To: wfn-editors@wfn.org

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

ABC/USA SETS WORLDWIDE URBAN FOCUS

 Calling on the expertise of urban ministry 
practitioners from around the world, American Baptist 
International Ministries hosted a one-day Urban Consultation 
last month as an initial step in envisioning its strategies 
for ministry in some of the world's largest cities.
 The consultation grew out of International Ministries' 
new Go Global strategic plan, which outlines goals and 
strategies for international mission during the next decade.  
The strategic plan lists urban mission among its six 
priorities, acknowledging that "God is calling IM to 
complement its historic strength in rural and tribal work 
with an increased commitment to seek the shalom of the great 
cities in our world."
 International Ministries Executive Director John 
Sundquist convened the meeting, noting, "God will ultimately 
transform today's cities according to the model of the 
coming City of God in Revelation 21:2."   Twenty-two 
participants-from urban centers in Brazil, Mexico, Dominican 
Republic, Hong Kong, Thailand, Eastern Europe, the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo and the U.S. and Puerto 
Rico identified several shared values and goals.  Among 
them:
  Scripture provides a clear mandate for engaging in 
mission with an urban focus.
  IM must seek to create a dynamic network that will 
consist of overseas partners, local churches, other mission 
organizations and missionaries.
  Any new efforts in urban mission should begin with 
an assessment of where and how the Spirit is already at work 
in the city to avoid duplication of efforts.
  Go Global suggests that local churches need to be 
both local and  global.
  IM seeks to connect local churches to urban mission 
opportunities overseas, to provide help and resources for 
doing mission and to partner with churches to minister with 
migrant peoples at their doorsteps.
  IM needs to be sensitized to urban realities 
existing in the world today which will influence the 
allocation of its budget as well as missionary 
recruitment/training.
  Though there are similarities in urban settings 
around the world there cannot be one model of urban 
ministry; each region must be free to develop its own.
 Next steps will include: searching for a staff person 
to serve as IM's team leader for Urban Ministries; inviting 
persons from local churches who have "gone global" to 
participate in the 2001 World Mission Conference; and 
developing case studies of urban churches around the world 
that have transformed their communities. 

2/17/00
WFN217A
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