I hit a place this week where I needed to let all this stuff sit for a bit – too many thoughts to come together into something coherent. I think this class has had the best texts so far of……

It reflects my work at Fuller, but frankly, I think you have a better beed on the subject than myself and many here. Keep up the good work.

though, i don’t want to forget the city. we do need to be partnering with our brothers and sisters who are already doing work down there.

in my mind, we have to do a little deconstruction of our accepted “way of life” and check to see if it really does match up with the way Jesus taught and lived. i think we’d be suprised how much we have given into the culture’s ideals and values….

dan, like i said in my e-mail, don’t know too many people who are having this discussion…which is why i am excited about it and I hope that it continues and grows.

I think one of the things that needs to be addressed is how to identify the particular form idolatry takes in suburbia versus the form it takes in an urban setting. The only way we can be effectively creative missionally in a suburban setting is if we identify suburbia’s underlying idols–both near and far idols. Keller has done a good job unmasking the idols of a city like NYC. It seems to me that we need someone to do the same for suburbia. Are you aware of anything that addressess this issue?

Dan

“It doesn’t mean that suburban churches are ‘inferior’ or that it is easier to be a pastor in the suburbs–I actually think it will take more ingenuity and creativity to demonstrate the power of the gospel in the suburbs than it will in the city.”
http://www.stevekmccoy.com/reformissionary/2006/01/keller_on_subur.html

Creativity is the key, and maybe challenging comfort zones. Not to mention that you don’t have to go to the city to see poverty or social injustice. We have a good share of that right here in Bucks Co.
I think Saturday’s visit to the Red Cross will be a great opportunity.
I’m sorry Todd if this is too long, but I don’t think we need to venture to the inner city, I would guess we can be helping missionaries right here in lower bucks county (even though I live in central bucks county).