The Urban Christian [Paperback]

Raymond J. Bakke (Author), Jim Hart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 1987

An Eternity 1988 Book of the Year! There are millions of opportunities for the gospel. With half of the world's five billion people in cities, there is almost no end to the exciting challenges that await us. Ray Bakke has been there. For over twenty years he and his family have worked with and love the people of today's cities, bringing a message of faith and hope. He knows how the city works and how it can be used to the advantage of the gospel. He knows how people hurt too, and he knows how Christianity can heal and make whole. Now he offers us the basic building blocks we need to live this young, rootless, mobile, media-tuned population. Here is practical, time-tested wisdom on what the church can and is doing in worship, work and witness. Bakke's biblical perspective is enriched by years of study and worldwide travel. He believes the church can and must train people to live with and minister to the hurting rich and the hurting poor of the city. The opportunities are our for the taking.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Raymond J. Bakke is chancellor and professor of Global Urban Studies at Bakke Graduate University, headquartered in Seattle, Washington. He is a former executive director of International Urban Associates in Chicago, Illinois.

Product Details

• Paperback: 202 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (November 30, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877845239
• ISBN-13: 978-0877845232
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Capturing God's Heart for the City, June 6, 2007

By 

Dr. Dave DeVries "DaveDV" (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Urban Christian (Paperback)

You cannot read this book without capturing God's heart for the city! Dr. Ray Bakke simply and clearly communicates the lessons God has taught him in his ministry in Chicago and in the world-class cities around the globe.

Bakke identifies the apparent irrelevance of Christianity in our cities as a failure on the part of the church. After pointing out the reasons for this failure and barriers to urban mission, Bakke lays out his challenge to embrace cities by developing a theology of the city and implementing God's agenda for the city.

He argues that "existing churches will not reach these huge and rapidly growing populations [in cities] without cross-cultural missions at home" (45). Also: "It is only by living in a city, with a theological vision for the city, that we can attempt to reach the city's people" (85).

While every chapter is significant, Chapter Six: "Into the Community" is excellent and should be studied and practiced by every pastor across the United States. Chapter Ten: "Do It Yourself" offers practical models and strategies to get started, including a checklist for each of the preceding chapters.

Bakke's vision of the church as an "Expeditionary Force" where every believer ministers to their worlds or relationships needs to be embodied not only in urban centers, but across the nation. As he notes: "most pastors would need immense mental transformations" to allow this model to work (133).

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FROM THE PULPIT TO THE PEW TO THE PAVEMENT., July 20, 1999

By 

Ryan Moore (brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Urban Christian (Paperback)

this book is very effective in letting the christian leader be equipped in ministry, to know his environment and reach the masses with the gospel. This book can help Christian Ministries transform people not only spiritually but economically and educationally.

4.0 out of 5 stars An Ongoing Reference Book, February 13, 2011

By 

Scott B - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Urban Christian (Paperback)

I don't have many books in my library that I go back to over an over again; here are some...

Bible
Commentaries
Lexicons
The Divine Conspiracy (Dallas Willard)
The Sermon On The Mount (John Stott)
The World Is Flat (Thomas Friedman)

After finishing it, I will be adding one to that list; The Urban Christian by Ray Bakke. This is a thoughtful, insightful, forward-thinking, broad, faith filled perspective on leading ministry among more than half of our population, those in urban areas. Of course, I also feel like his perspective and ideas would translate well in certain sub-urban areas. Anyone who is a leader in ministry would benefit from reading this once and then using it as a reference continuously.