From Sanctuary to City
A church in the city primarily serves its own congregation. Its focus is internal: Sunday services, Bible studies, and maintaining its physical plant. It exists within the city limits, but its impact may not stretch much beyond its own doors. A church for the city, however, adopts a fundamentally outward orientation. It views the well-being and flourishing of its entire geographical area—its neighbors, its schools, its local municipalities, its businesses—as part of its divine mandate. The needs of the local community become as important as the needs of the members.
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
(Jeremiah 29:7)
The Pillars of Engagement
1. RADICAL PROXIMITY
It’s not enough to run a once-a-quarter outreach event. The church embeds itself in the life of the community. When it’s financially feasible, this means staff and members live locally, shop at local businesses, and volunteer in neighborhood associations. The goal is to move beyond superficial charity to mutual, reciprocal relationships with community leaders and residents, truly understanding the systemic issues at play—be it educational disparities, food insecurity, or other community challenges. A church for the city also celebrates local victories—be it the local university winning a championship, the high school marching band playing on Thanksgiving Day in New York City, the hometown teacher being recognized by PTA, and other community celebrations. To be a church for your city means you love your city.
2. ASSET-BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Instead of focusing solely on what’s broken (the “deficit model”), a “for the city” church identifies and mobilizes the assets already present in the neighborhood—the talented residents, the historical buildings, the established community groups. It sees its role as connecting these assets and providing resources (volunteers, meeting space, funding) to amplify existing local efforts, rather than simply launching new, church-centric programs. For example, instead of starting a church food ministry, it partners to support and resource the public food bank in the city. Relationships are built up at the public food bank among volunteers and the guests. These relationships lead to gospel conversations. Meanwhile, precious church resources are used to meet other important community needs.
3. THE BUILDING AS A SHARED RESOURCE
The church’s physical property transforms from a structure used only a few hours a week to a community hub. Its meeting rooms and sanctuary are often made available to church-friendly organizations, neighborhood watch groups, and public service initiatives. The doors are open to host job fairs, town hall meetings, community soup kitchens, or English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, while positioning the building as a valuable, shared asset that serves the common good of the entire community. Members of the community partner with the church with time, money and resources for the betterment of the entire city.
A New Definition of Success
While worship services are very important, the life of the church is more than attendance on Sunday mornings. For instance:
- City A | One Lutheran church in city A experiences unemployment fluctuations with snowbirds and tourism. To address these challenges, the church has partnered with a nearby community college to provide vocational training onsite at the church. The results of this partnership decrease seasonal unemployment and expresses love and concern for the church’s neighbors.
- City B | Another Lutheran church and school in city B ministers to the community with after school programming for all school children—public and private. Over time, this ministry improved test scores for public and private Lutheran school children. Members of the church volunteer daily and the Gospel is shared through ongoing conversations with students and parents.
- City C | The Lutheran church in city C experienced a surge in gang violence over the past few years. This church took the lead in creating a stronger, more unified neighborhood association in partnership with the police that uses the church as a neutral meeting ground for community conversation and initiatives.
This model is a courageous commitment to the common good in loving our neighbor in ways that Christ has loved us, demanding humility, collaboration, and a willingness to share power and resources (Mark 12:30-31). It recognizes that the vitality of the local church is inextricably linked to the vitality of the local community (Jeremiah 29:7). By embracing its role as a spiritual and civic partner, the “for the city” church proves that its most powerful sermons are sometimes lived out in the streets, schools, and city council chambers, transforming the love once contained within four walls into a force that truly shapes the city.
A church for the city rather than simply in the city earns street credibility and receives passport for deeper spiritual conversations among members of the community. A church for the city experiences several growing relationships with people. These are opportunities for sharing the good news of Jesus.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:14-16)
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