Customer Reviews

The Urban Christian

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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).

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.

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.

I have been in urban ministry for almost a decade - halfway through that decade I was introduced to the ideas Ray penned nearly twenty years ago and found them as water to a thirsty soul and as relevant today as they were twenty years ago. Ray Bakke lives what he promotes in this book and through this book he takes you by the hand and helps you discover how to really understand and truly empower your community to know Christ. If you haven't read this book are in urban ministry - you must! Also a must read for those considering life and ministry in the city, especially if you didn't grow up in the city or are familiar with the way life works there.

Very good book and well written to inspire Christian hearts to seek the good of the city.