Customer Reviews

The American City and the Evangelical Church: A Historical Overview

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Picking up where Donald Dayton left off with "Discovering and Evangelical Heritage", the late Harvie Conn has written a crucial book for the Church as a whole and the Evangelical church specifically. This book looks at the white church's relationship with the American city and shows how it got to where it is now: suburban and rural focused. Conn backs up his tough critism of the church with plenty of data and case studies. I would rate this book as a "must read" to anyone interested in urban ministry or as a gift to someone who just doesn't understand the need for urban ministry (ie. denominational leaders!)

Long-standing fear and prejudice separate the American city from the evangelical church. Missiologist Harvie M. Conn explains why urban dwellers ten to view today's increased interest as too little, too late.

Historical and sociological analysis explains the history of the church-city connection and suggests where it is heading.

The city was the principal target of the church during its early centuries, but a "wicked city" stereotype pushed Christians into a rural/suburban ghetto. Great revivals and missions reached into the cities, but the church kept the city at arm's length.

Some trends are promising, but challenges lie ahead. Conn advises individuals interested in church history, church growth, and missiology that the suburban preoccupation must still be overcome. Evangelicals must visibly roll up their sleeves fro involvement in biblical social action to gain credibility.