So, I’m planting a church, but haven’t completely nailed down where yet. We know that we are called to live and plant inside the perimeter, which pretty much means Decatur or Atlanta for me. This morning I just happened to drive through both, and I was listening to a Mark Driscoll sermon on Nehemiah 11. Mark just happened to be talking about the strategic value of church planting within a large city…fitting. Here are some of his thoughts and some of the reasons I feel the urban call.

Driscoll’s thoughts:

• The city is dense and diverse. So, there are lots more people within walking distance and a broader range of people that believers can connect with.
• People in the city are open to change. The nature of cities is to grow and change much faster than surrounding suburbs. Part of this willingness to change is a willingness to think about new things, like getting to know Jesus.
• The people living within a city tend to be the culture makers. This means that culture tends to flow from within larger cities out to smaller ones. One example is that fashion tends to flow from Paris or New York out to other large cities, and then out to smaller ones. So, if we want to change the way our culture thinks and acts, we need to touch the hearts of the people that have the ability to shape culture.

My reasons to love the city:

• Because the city is dense, it is community driven. People living within closer proximity to one another are bound to effect each others’ lives through relationship. I love community.
• Atlanta happens to be home of the busiest airport in the world, meaning that people from all over the globe tend to pass through Atlanta frequently. Imagine the possibilities for the spread of the gospel to the world if this fact is used strategically. Also, imagine the global reach that a new church is capable of having with such a transportation hub in its back yard.
• Part of the diversity of the city is the fact that the rich tend to live within a few blocks of the poor. I have a heart for the poor and want to see them succeed. And, recently God has especially burdened my heart for poor children in need. I want to create a church that will be intentional about helping the poor.
• The city tends to draw in the innovative, urban types. I like those guys. I feel at home hanging out with both tattooed artist types and pocket protector engineer types. Only in a city will you find these types living close together.
• I like the pace of the city. It’s faster, more intense and (for me) very exciting.

Listening to that sermon and being down here has gotten me pumped. I want to start tomorrow! But, preparation is good and God is sending me into a season of preparation first. For this I am thankful.

1. Eric Says:
   July 13th, 2007 at 9:01 am

   Here’s some other good reasons, too:

   George’s
   Fat Matt’s Rib Shack
   home of Ludacris, Usher, T.I., Outkast, Ciara

   But to be abit more focused – total agreement about the city. It’s more awesome-er, the diversity of people is unbeatable, and life moves faster, in a good way.

2. d10 Says:
   July 13th, 2007 at 9:56 am

   This is a pretty interesting post, and I definitely see where you and Mark the Cussing Pastor* are coming from. To me, this is one of those things where I tend to go back and forth. I certainly agree with everything you say above. I mean totally agree.

   But I can also see in myself a selfish aspect of wanting to live in the city because it’s “cool”. To me, living in the city brings along with it: living close to work, using public transportation/bike, close proximity to all my favorite restaurants, plus just the general cool urban vibe. So that leaves me wondering if I want to move into the city because of real spiritual needs there or because of selfish reasons.

   I’m not saying you face that struggle, just pointing out some of my own personal dealings with this question.

   Hands down though, if you have a burden for the poor, then this is the area to be, at least getting a lot closer…

   *Did you ever read Blue Like Jazz?

3. Tyler Says:
   July 13th, 2007 at 11:20 pm

   I was just listening that same podcast this afternoon. Mark makes some great points.

   It is really cool to kind of watch your vision develop. It is exciting and refreshing to watch someone following God’s will for their life. I’m personally wrestling with God on something that I feel He is calling me to, and it is really helpful for me to follow your progress.

   Thanks