LLMA

UG

20

12

2 8 10feature history action

My suburban Chicago street was a field a

decade ago. Deer and coyote sightings remain

common.

Still, my suburban existence has urban elements. My

community, which bills itself as “the city in the suburbs,” has

a casino and its own listing on the Urban Dictionary website.

Nearly 44 percent of my city’s 108,000 residents identified

themselves as Hispanic in the 2010 census, and English is

a second language at some of the businesses I frequent.

The line between urban and suburban is not always as

clear as it looks on a map. Big cities and their suburbs (and

rural areas) need Free Methodists who heed B.T. Roberts’

1860 call to “maintain the Bible standard of Christianity,

and to preach the Gospel to the poor.”

At General Conference 2011, delegates confirmed “our

responsibilities and opportunities to those in the urban

United States” while acknowledging “most of the urban

areas of the U.S. present significant challenges to the Free

Methodist Church.”

This issue of Light & Life Magazine [LLM] explores these

challenges and celebrates our urban

members and leaders. We salute the

Free Methodist Urban Fellowship, the

African Heritage Network, the Latin

Network (Red Latina), the Olive Branch

Mission and other Free Methodists

living out their faith among urban and

suburban residents. [LLM]

Managing Editor Jeff FinleyLead Designer Erin EckbergWriter/Photographer Michael MettsCopy Editor Dawn McIlvain StahlInternal Communications Andrea Anibal Project Manager Julie InnesWeb Architect Peter ShackelfordPublisher Jason ArcherBusiness/Operations Ben Weesies

Spanish TranslationEzequiel Alvarez Joel Guzman Janeth Bustamante Carmen HoseaJoe Castillo Karen KabandamaJennifer Flores Samuel LopezGuillermo Flores Rodrigo Lozano, Coordinator

LLM: Light & Life Magazine (ISSN 0024-3299) was established in 1868 by the Free Methodist Church. Pub-lished monthly by Light & Life Communications. © 2012 Free Methodist Church – USA, 770 N. High School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214. Views expressed in articles do not necessarily represent the official position of the Free Methodist Church. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations, no portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version unless otherwise indicated.

Whole No. 5242, Vol. 145, No. 8Printed in U.S.A.Member: Evangelical Press Association,Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability

Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN, and additional mailing offices.

Postmaster, send address changes to:Light & Life Magazine, 770 N. High School Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46214

1 [openers]

LLML I G H T & L I F E M A G A Z I N E

“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” — John 1:4

D e v e l o p i n g E a r n e s t C h r i s t i a n s S i n c e 1 8 6 8

Website: www.llcomm.orgEmail us: www.llcomm.org/staffNews and submissions: jeff.finley@fmcusa.orgAdvertising: ben.weesies@fmcusa.org

Address all correspondence to:Light & Life Magazine, 770 N. High School Rd.,Indianapolis, IN 46214 (317) 244-3660

Urban and Suburban

To receive Light & Life in Spanish, please contact our office: (800) 342-5531 or ben.weesies@fmcusa.org.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Read more about urban ministry at llcomm.org

1] Do you use QR codes?

Scan this box with your smartphone to

read more articles on this issue’s theme.

2] Weeping Over the City

Bob Havens relates Luke 19:41–44 to

his experience at an urban apartment

complex.

3] Stop the Language of Violence

FM Pastor Michael Traylor writes about

violence in hip-hop culture: bit.ly/mtraylor.

Jeff FinleyManaging Editor

i

B Y F R E D L Y N C H

In any real city, you walk. You know? You brush past people. People bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We’re always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much

that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something. – Detective Graham Waters (Don Cheadle), “Crash” uuu

The 2004 movie “Crash” is a

good tool to inspire dialogue about

diversity, the realities within urban

America and the struggles of its resi-

dents. Its description of Los Angeles

has become the American norm.

Our cities’ residents are touch-

resistant and desperately alone.

Urban church leaders experience

the irony of being alone in an over-

crowded existence. We navigate in

a civilization short on civility — multi-

tudes of human beings not connect-

ing with each other. Serving in such

a high-risk atmosphere takes its toll

on ministers as they learn how to “be

as shrewd as snakes

and as innocent as

doves” (Matthew

10:16).

The danger

lies within the

synapse, before

thoughts trans-

late into action. The power of the

Holy Spirit is constantly needed to

understand pain yet initiate wellness,

identify a threat yet promote har-

mony, recognize the hustle yet walk in

peace. I don’t know any leader called

to the city who doesn’t instinctively

want to escape the madness. At the

same time, each leader compulsively

seeks to discover the divine image of

what God wants that city to become.

This duality — this love-hate

relationship — with the cities we

serve reminds me of Paul’s confes-

sion in which he wishes he were

“cursed and cut off from Christ” if

it could help save his own people

(Romans 9:3–4).

I have often found myself putting

my family and me in harm’s way to

save my people. Risks have included

moving into the hood, sending my

children to public schools and doing

life with people I’ve pledged to reach.

This isn’t a social experiment. This

is my life, and I only get one chance

at it.

God has shown Himself in wonder-

ful ways. I could share story after

story of His providence and pres-

ence, but I sometimes experience

challenges that seem like cracks in

His plan. These difficulties cause me

to wonder: Is it worth it?

There is a reason that so many

have left the urban wastelands for

what they consider greener pas-

tures. Not a day goes by that I don’t

dream of greener pastures, but my

dreams include the green spreading

into the city and overtaking the worst

areas.

SNOWY REVELATIONLast winter, I found myself driving

on a snowy day through one of the

roughest parts of South Dallas. As I

looked around, I was astonished at

3 [feature]

how beautiful the city appeared. The

snow covered the dirty streets and

the unkempt yards, and it gave me a

view of what the city could look like.

I thought of the statement in

1 Peter 4:8 that “love covers over a

multitude of sins.” It hit me that God

gives us brief glimpses of glorious

possibilities if we lovingly commit to

look into areas that need His love

the most.

If all of this that started in a gar-

den (Genesis 2:8) will one day end

up in a city (Revelation 21:10), then

how do we recapture God’s defini-

tion of the city?

In one of my favorite passages

(Ezekiel 3:12–27), Ezekiel seemingly

is sent against his will into a com-

munity of refugees, and God saves

Israel by doing a transformational

work in Ezekiel as well as through

him.

INTO THE CITYIf you really want to see God

move, get where He’s needed the

most. We must become incarnate

in our mission or face the alterna-

tive: becoming irrelevant holders of

religious artifacts.

Ezekiel was lifted and taken

somewhere he was dead set against

going. The deciding factor was God’s

hand on him (v.14). Like Ezekiel, I

may not like where I am, but if God is

with me, then I can make it!

Let’s not forget that the One who

called us is with us. His hand gets

heavier the closer we get to where

He’s taking us.

IN THE MOMENTBefore Ezekiel could speak to the

refugees, God made him temporarily

“silent and unable to rebuke them”

(v.26).

Your presence —- being in the

moment with those you serve —- will

far outshine your greatest sermon.

In fact, your presence is the greatest

sermon you’ll ever preach.

MADE A WATCHMANThe job of the church isn’t to

police culture but to be a witness of

God’s truth about culture. When God

elevates us to the point where we

watch over the souls of the people

He loves, we don’t have to battle

to be heard because His sheep will

hear His voice in our voices.

After time in the presence of the

people, Ezekiel was granted the

office of a watchman on a wall (v.16).

When you become lifted up with

insight among the people to whom

you are called, God gives you the abil-

ity to see things from

heaven’s perspec-

tive. This curious

dynamic kicks in like

[feature] 4

a special vision that enables you to

see when others are blind.

Watchmen don’t just watch. They

also communicate. Share what you

see with those who are blinded to

God’s view.

EXPERIENCING LOSSWhy can’t I win the lottery and be

done with this daily bread? If I won

the lottery, I wouldn’t be as able to

connect with the people to whom God

is sending me because they’ve never

won the lottery (although statistics

show they finance it). The city is filled

with few winners and far too many

losers.

As an urban church planter, I am

well acquainted with loss. At times, I’ve

even questioned if I’ve lost my mind

for taking up such a risky venture. I

am also aware of the greatest gifts of

God’s strong hand (v.14) and whispers

of what He’s going to do in the city.

God wants you to experience a

real city where you walk and brush

past people, people bump into you

and you touch each other. You might

even experience a crash and feel

something. [LLM]

5 [feature]

www.fmfoundation.org

i Pastor Fred Lynch is the direc-tor of urban mission for the River Conference and a Christian hip-hop pioneer who founded the group P.I.D. (Preachers in Disguise) in 1987.

Want to

We’re your

Get your message out to at least 75,000 people with our great advertising opportunities. Large range of prices available, plus digital edition and online ads.

Contact us today: (800) 342-5531 ext. 313 or ads@fmcusa.org.

Free Methodists?reach

connection.

Here are some facts we cannot ignore. God does not wish any to miss the

“very good” (Genesis 1:31) that He intends for all.

No matter how it has been denied or in what way it is needed, God

wants us to experience the very good. He relentlessly and constantly seeks those

who are now missing it, so it can be offered to them, and they can find and enjoy it.

Jesus — God present and at work on a search-and-redeem mission — explicitly

describes the gospel as good news to the poor (Luke 4:18–20). Amazingly, poor

people are the primary target group. I am relieved that others may find gracious

inclusion, but these others are not the primary target group.

Jesus’ focus on God lovingly and persistently seeking the well-being of all people,

especially the poor, carries the story of our Scriptures forward toward the goal of

“new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17).

This story invites us to participate. Indeed, the call to follow Jesus is precisely the

call to enter the ongoing Jesus story for the sake of all and, above all, the poor.

We accept Jesus’ call today in a world rushing toward global urbanization. I will

leave it to more qualified others to precisely define “global urbanization.” The church

cannot wait for precise definitions, however.

All over the world, the flow of people moves and mounts toward bigger, more

complex and potentially more fruitful urban centers. In large geographic concen-

trations, we have streaming masses of people. Jesus died for

all of them and, the greatest concentrations of these people

suffer from the multiple forms of impoverishment that plague

humankind.

How can we not care about the city? How can we not

marshal our presence, resources and energies to move right

into the crosshairs of where Jesus’ mission aims? This is what

the earliest church did. This is what happened as a result of

the Reformation and other renewal movements in history. This

is what the Methodists and early Free Methodists did. This is

what we must do today. [LLM]

Why Urban?

[bishops] 6

i Bishop David Kendall

To read more from Bishop Kendall, visit fmcusa.org/ davidkendall.

On August 26, sit down with the bishops at fmcusa.org/live for our next Vision Cast. The bishops will help us see where we’re going as a church and how we’re going to get there.

We’d love for you to join us, whether it’s your entire church, small group, family or just you and your computer.

As we approach the Vision Cast, share your thoughts about the future of the church at facebook.com/fmcusa.

After the event, use our Facebook page to tell us what you thought and share pictures of your church or small group watching the Vision Cast.

LIVEVISION

CAST

PLAN TO ATTEND

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

TALK TO US

Whether meeting in storefronts, public schools, libraries, hotels, coffee

shops, theaters, warehouses or traditional sanctuaries, the urban

church is as complex and creative as the city it is called to serve.

As we look at today’s urban church, we must look at God’s Word for His direction

to reach diverse neighborhoods and people. The message is the same, but reaching

the city takes multiple methods — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Look at Jerusalem where Jesus wept over the city (Luke 13:34, 19:41). He told

His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father “until you have been

clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Jerusalem — besieged, captured or

destroyed, in whole or part — is the type of city to which the urban church has been

called.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” King David wrote (Psalm 122:6).

“Pray for the peace of our urban center” is the cry of our city congregations as

they toil together day and night by the grace and wisdom of God to carry the light to

dark places.

The urban church must have a three-legged approach to ministering

to the city. One leg is deeply rooted in message and purpose. Another

leg stands for social holiness and is the community’s moral compass.

The third leg is in the marketplace. The urban church must bring the

light of Christ to corporate America.

An effective, rapidly expanding and successful urban church works

collaboratively as the body of Christ. An urban church member should

be a doer (James 2:24) until every resident of every neighborhood

hears and sees the wonderful works of God. [LLM]

E. Kenneth Martin, the pastor of New Vision Fellowship in Forestville, Md., serves the Free Methodist Church – USA as a Board of Administration member and as the denomination’s representative to the National Association of Evangelicals.

SCRIPTURE:

Luke 13:34

Luke 19:41

Luke 24:49

Psalm 122:6

James 2:24

Reaching the City

7 [foundation]

B Y E . K E N N E T H M A R T I N

Browns Mill Church leases and has renovated a commercial building in downtown Newnan, Ga. q

Described as “queenly-looking,” Rachael Bradley hardly seemed a

candidate for a mission that would take her to her grave as penni-

less as those she served in the slums of Chicago. But an experi-

ence with the Holy Spirit changed her completely.

While teaching sewing to the poor in the Morgan Street FMC, Bradley

began what would become Chicago’s oldest rescue mission — officially

formed in 1876 with ministry dating to 1867. Despite predictions of failure,

she found an old one-room hall on Wells Street and curtained off a living area.

In 1891, Mary Everhart joined the ministry and nursed an ailing Brad-

ley back to health. They relocated the mission, newly named Olive Branch,

among the saloons and brothels of South Des Plaines Street. In a sooty land-

scape devoid of grass or trees, they offered the peace of Christ to residents

of the newly industrialized city.

Conditions took a toll on Bradley’s already-weakened body. Her soul left

the city streets in 1893, but the Olive Branch and its mission of reclamation

remain alive.

More than a century later, Free Methodists in the Philippines grasped an

opportunity to take the gospel to poor families living on a dump in Butuan City.

In that treeless place, with its noxious gasses and hazardous waste,

Pastora Tessie Chua began the Ahon Project to give children of the trash

pickers a chance at new life. When she taught Pastor Willy Abrao’s class at Light &

Life Bible College, he felt called to join the ministry.

Abrao and Chua fed the malnourished, visited homes and preached the good

news. In 2010, Abrao died of tuberculosis spurred by the conditions in which he

worked.

According to John 12:24, “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it

remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Like Bradley’s Olive Branch, the Ahon Project continues to produce seeds in the

city. [LLM]

Kernels of Wheat in the Cities

[history] 8

B Y A N D R E A A N I B A L

For video of the Ahon Project, visit bit.ly/ahonproject.

p Rachael Bradley (Photo courtesy of Marston Memorial Historical Center)

B Y M I C H A E L J . M E T T S

The challenges of urban ministry do not pre-

vent the Foundry Escondido from reaching

people in the San Diego area for Christ.

“These are people that I see every day,” said

George King, lead pastor of the Foundry. “Unfortu-

nately, I see a lot of them making choices that are

filling their lives with harm.”

Escondido, Calif., is a diverse city of nearly

144,000 residents, of whom 49 percent are His-

panic and 6 percent are of Asian descent, according

to 2010 census data. Because the Foundry seeks to

reach all of the people in its community, uuu

citythe

the Free Methodist congregation

has developed partnerships with

other congregations across cultural

boundaries.

“We’re just going to have to work

through the differences of language,

culture and concepts of time and suc-

cess,” King said.

Several of the Foundry’s His-

panic families have Spanish-speaking

parents and bilingual children. King

sought partnership with a Hispanic

congregation to better serve these

families and other Spanish-speaking

people.

“For them to grow and be dis-

cipled, they need to be somewhere

where they can speak their own heart

language,” he said.

Kingdom CooperationKing soon realized the importance

of cooperating with other ministries.

In addition to partnering with the

Hispanic congregation, the Foundry

partners with Filipino and Arabic con-

gregations in the San Diego area.

“They’re reaching people that

we’re not going to reach,” King said.

Although the Filipino and Arabic

congregations are Free Methodist,

the Latino congregation is not.

“Our main concern, first and

foremost, is the kingdom of God and

seeing that kingdom expand,” he said.

“I like the Free Methodist Church. I

like our values. I like our vision. I like

what we stand for. I like that we’re

Wesleyan in our theology. But we’re

not the kingdom.”

Adjust ExpectationsBecause every culture has unique

values and traditions, King has had

to adjust his expectations of what

ministry looks like.

“I’m realizing that if we’re going

to partner cross-culturally, it means

a lot more hanging out, hearing one

another’s stories, learning to laugh

with each other, eat with each other,

cry with each other,” he said.

Last summer, the Foundry held a

joint baptism service with its Arabic

sister congregation; 18 people were

baptized, half from each congrega-

tion, with songs alternating between

Arabic and English. Although some

Foundry attendees may be uncom-

fortable when they aren’t able to

understand what’s going on in a

service, King encourages them to

celebrate the things they share.

“There are certain things — and

it doesn’t matter what culture, what

race, what language, you name it —

we share in common,” King said.

As a church in an urban area, the

Foundry frequently serves people

who are homeless, poor or strug-

gling with addictions. Members step

outside their comfort zones to make

way for the moving of the

Holy Spirit.

“When people that are

different from us come, we

feel like we can’t control

them,” King said. “We’ve

just got to learn to be out of

control.” [LLM]

[action] 10Ph

oto

by M

icha

el J.

Met

ts

As a church in an urban area, the Foundry frequently serves people who are homeless, poor or struggling with addictions. Members step outside their comfort zones to make way for the moving of the Holy Spirit.

To watch George King discuss the Foundry’s urban ministry, visit bit.ly/NCIkow.

city

11 [news]

Free Methodist Urban Fel-

lowship President B. Elliott

Renfroe is putting out the

welcome mat for people who want

help responding to the needs of their

communities.

For nearly four decades, FMUF has

served as a connection point for Free

Methodists in metropolitan areas with

its Continental Urban Exchange (CUE)

conferences alternating between

major cities across the nation.

Renfroe believes many Free Meth-

odists overlook the benefits of joining

FMUF because they don’t see their

congregations as urban, and they

don’t realize how the fellowship could

benefit them.

“If people would recognize that

they have urban issues within their

churches and identify them that way,

there would be more people

who’d want to come to CUE,”

said Renfroe. He cited drug

use, homelessness and pov-

erty as increasingly prevalent

in the “golden ghetto” of

suburbia.

“Teen pregnancy was at

one time considered

an inner-city prob-

lem,” added Renfroe

during an interview

at the North Central

Conference’s annual

conference where

he was appointed

the pastor of First

FMC in Peoria, Ill.

Renfroe said

his vision for the

congregation is “to

get the church in

the community” and “to get the

community in the church.”

Peoria has been called the test-

market capital of the United States,

and the local chamber of com-

merce’s website boasts of the com-

munity’s “solid Midwest values.”

But Renfroe said Peoria County

ranks in Illinois’ top five counties for

sexually transmitted diseases among

15- to 24-year-olds.

“I’m told of murders that have

happened within walking distance of

the church,” he said. “It’s a volatile

community with a lot of needs.”

To help more churches in volatile

communities, Renfroe wants FMUF

to sponsor four regional conferences

each year in addition to CUE.

Apart from conferences, FMUF

provides summer scholarships for

church interns and offers its mem-

bers resources, encouragement and

prayer. [LLM]

Urban Fellowship President Shares VisionB Y J E F F F I N L E Y

For video of Renfroe and more information about

FMUF, visit fmcusa.org/fmuf.

Free Methodist Urban Fellowship (FMUF) President B. Elliott Renfroe

[news] 12

PASTOR IN 50TH YEAR AT CHURCHFreeport, Ill.

At its annual conference in June, the North Central Conference honored Pastor

Lyle Babcock and his wife, Ruth, for 50 years of ministry at Richland FMC. Babcock

founded three Free Methodist congregations in the Freeport, Ill., area and contin-

ues to lead Richland. “Lyle and Ruth have been serving God faithfully,” Superinten-

dent Mark Adams said. “This is not a retirement.”

TOP BIBLE QUIZZERS AT SPU Seattle

The 2012 Bible Quiz Finals were held June 25–30 at Seattle Pacific

University. The quizzers gave nearly $3,500 toward a new ICCM high

school in Kenya. Individual final winners included Garrison Wright

(young teen rookie), Kellyann Stackhouse (young teen veteran),

Cayleigh Pracht (senior teen rookie) and Nathaniel Stout (senior teen

veteran). For more results and information, visit fmquizzing.org.

YARD SALE SUPPORTS SISTER CONNECTION McMinnville, Tenn.

The New South Conference Women’s Ministries International (WMI) raised money

to support Sister Connection and build a home for a widow in Burundi. Bratcher’s

Crossroads FMC held yard sales that raised $650 — $50 more than the cost of

the home — and connected neighbors with the congregation. For more information,

visit fmcusa.org/yourstory.

SALVATIONS AND BAPTISMS IN JAILAlbert Lea, Minn.

Pastor Federico Rivera of Iglesia Emmanuel has been ministering

in a county jail for nine months and now visits the jail three times

a week. In May alone, Rivera’s efforts led to 89 people accepting

Jesus Christ, four being baptized and 99 reporting changes in their

lives as a result of the ministry.

The Rest of the Story

Want to find in-depth stories of remarkable Free Methodists? Visit fmcusa.org.

We want to hear from you!

Tell us what your church is doing to impact lives in the United States and around the world. Submit your story at fmcusa.org/ yourstory.

i

13 [world]

Big cities mean big ministry opportunities for the

worldwide Free Methodist Church.

According to Free Methodist World Mis-

sions’ “Mega Cities” Web page — fmcusa.org/fmwm/mega-cities — Free Methodist ministry occurs in seven of

the 10 largest global cities. The Free Methodist Church is

present in 65 of the 140 urban agglomerations (contigu-

ous urban zones) that have more than 3 million people.

Dan Sheffield, the director of global and intercultural

ministries for the Free Methodist Church in Canada, wrote

that each global city has culturally diverse residents speak-

ing multiple languages. Global cities also have a noticeable

gap between the rich and the poor, and connect to other

global cities through trade, communication, transportation

and family ties.

The Free Methodist Church is thriving in places like São

Paulo, Brazil, which has nearly 20 million inhabitants.

“We currently have 49 Free Methodist churches just

in the São Paulo metropolis,” Bishop Jose Ildo Mello wrote

in the April–June issue of Free Methodist World Mission

People, which addressed urban ministry around the world.

Cairo, Egypt, has more than 20 Free Methodist congre-

gations.

The largest Free Methodist congregation in the Ameri-

cas is an urban church, according to data compiled by

Paul Olver and posted on the “Mega Cities” page. Chretien

FMC in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has an average worship

attendance of more than 2,000.

Other urban congregations include the Barrio Obrero

FMC in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the Normandia FMC

in Bogota, Colombia, which average more than 500 and

400 worshipers respectively.

“Thirty-seven cities in Spanish Latin America have a

population more than 1 million; 18 of them have at least

one Free Methodist church,” Olver wrote. “Every mission

district or conference in Latin America

includes at least one city of 1 million or

more with at least one Free Methodist

church.” [LLM]

FM Urban Ministry Goes Global

To read the April–June issue of Free Methodist World Mission People, visit bit.ly/fmwmp.t São Paulo, Brazil

When Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith wrote “Divided by

Faith” (2000), they surveyed white evangelical America and dis-

covered that many white Christians preserved the racial chasm.

Emerson and Smith discerned that whites did not actively promote rac-

ism, but their emphasis on individualism, free will and personal relationships

ignored society’s systemic problems that perpetuate racial inequality. White

evangelicals believed racial problems could be solved by repentance and

conversion. At that time, 93 percent of churches were racially homogenous.

Our nation now has an African-American president, which leads many to

believe that anyone can rise above race and circumstances. Yet, according

to the Pew Research Center, the wealth gap between whites and blacks has

grown; in 2009, white households had a median net worth of $113,000

compared to $6,000 for black households. These disparities persist largely

because of a lack of equity passed down through generations.

If an urban church truly represents its neighborhood, it will likely include

multiple races. Yet, according to Scott Williams’ “Church Diversity” (2011),

93 percent of churches are still homogenous.

We cannot continue to be the church in the city without addressing the

concerns of the city: racism, poverty, homelessness and addictions.

Although personal salvation certainly addresses the problems of the indi-

vidual, we must join black churches in working for systemic justice.

The Indianapolis First FMC recently participated in a joint worship service

with two other neighborhood churches to worship across racial and

denominational lines. We could all learn from other churches in our neigh-

borhoods what issues are pressing their members and how we could help.

Look around and see where God leads you. [LLM]

Katherine Callahan-Howell is the pastor of Winton Community FMC in Cincin-nati and a contributing editor for Leadership Journal.

GROUP DISCUSSION:

[1] Does our church

reflect our neighborhood?

[2] What is our church

doing to promote justice?

Race and Church

[discipleship] 14

B Y K A T H E R I N E C A L L A H A N - H O W E L L

Did you know a new disciple-ship article is posted to our website each week? The four monthly arti-cles are perfect for use in your small group or as a weekly supplement to individual study.

p The Indianapolis First FMC holds ajoint worship service with two other neighborhood churches to worship across racial and denominational lines. (Photo courtesy of Greg Coates)

AFRICAN HERITAGE NETWORKFM pastors and leaders of African heri-

tage connect for support and training: myahn.org.

FMUFThe Free Methodist Urban Fellowship

provides networking, resources and

encouragement: fmcusa.org/fmuf.

1

2

Here’s help for urban ministry from fellow Free Methodists serving our nation’s cities.

“BAREFOOT CHURCH” Urban FM Pastor Brandon Hatmaker

gives advice for “serving the least in a

consumer culture”:

bit.ly/barefootchurch.

“BROADER VISION” Acts 12:24 Churches Superintendent

David A. Harvey builds on the FM urban

legacy: bit.ly/fmharvey.

3

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[resources]

LLML I G H T & L I F E M A G A Z I N E

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