A Reflection on James – Urban Issues
Urban Issue One: Perseverance against adversity
Guidance from James
- Adversity is not necessarily something we must combat, but can be an opportunity for joy and the development of character (James 1:2-4)
- James reminds the church that ‘good’ out of perseverance is true of life – The harvest and the rainfall (5:7-8) and their history through the prophets (James 5:10-11)
- Temptation is a reality and the way it leads to sin can be overcome. James assures the church that God blesses those who endure. (James 1:12-15)
Relevance for today’s urban church
- Unlike rural living where things can remain status quo for long periods of time, the urban church today exists in a post-Christian culture that will always be challenging the timeless truths of Scripture and the legitimacy of the church
- Allowing adversity and ‘troubles’ that press against the church may offer a new posture in the way the church relates to the culture. This may create a more dynamic and vibrant church that is aware of is constantly aware of its deficiencies and how it can overcome or leverage them.
- There are so many voices today vying for our attention. The urban church needs to hear today that there is beauty in perseverance and not giving into temptations
Urban Issue Two: Personal Integrity: Faith and Works
Guidance from James
- We cannot merely listen to the word of God, it must change us – otherwise it is like looking in the mirror and forgetting what we look like (James 1:19-27)
- Faith without good works is dead, James cites Abraham, and even the faith of a non-Israelite, Rahab, as an example (James 2:14-25)
- Our words can lack integrity as well – we can use our words to both praise and curse (James 3:1-12)
Relevance for today’s urban church
- Our lack of integrity is likely a great cause of backlash against the church today. Unbelievers don’t want anything to do with people who do not ‘practice what they preach’ and believers are not comfortable sharing with others what they don’t practice either.
- With the explosion of the information age, now is the time when knowing better ought to lead us towards doing better, yet it often doesn’t. This is a powerful warning that the doctrinal statements of the urban church are meaningless unless it translates out to impacting others somehow.
- Also with the information age and our rapidly shrinking global village the things we say with our tongues can easily be overheard, recorded, and disseminated. The urban church would be wise to have integrity in controlling what we say especially at this point in history.
Urban Issue Three: Being peacemakers amongst diversity
Guidance from James
- Favoritism is sin – though it may seem minor it is deeply rooted in our understanding of grace and mercy (James 2:1-13)
- Be willing to yield, show mercy, and do good deeds, seeds of peace will reap a harvest of righteousness (James 3:13-18)
- Do not begin quarrels and tear others down, seek God with the right motives and he will lift you up with honor (James 4:1-10)
Relevance for today’s urban church
- Urban centers are becoming increasingly diverse (race, culture, economic class, social class, sexual orientation, faith and beliefs), working well amongst all these differences will be critical to the way the culture gauges the church
- In our fast-paced, productivity driven urban centers – to be willing to yield, show mercy, do good deeds, and sow seeds of peace will go a long way in being counter cultural and being light in the darkness
- Urban churches and Christians are also diversifying in views more than any other time in history. Rather than knocking other churches and ministers, we need to find a new appreciation for the way each church honors God. Urban churches need each urban church to be doing the very best with what God has uniquely given them.
Urban Issue Four: Economic Injustices
Guidance from James
- Honor the poor, do not favor the rich who are in fact oppressing you (James 2:1-8)
- Do not strategize and plan at the cost of not doing what you know is good (James 4:13-17)
- Warning to those who are rich and have cheated others of their pay (James 5:1-6)
Relevance for today’s urban church
- Money continues to make the world go around these days. Many would likely not think twice to give change to someone who looked rich, yet we would have our doubts and judgments upon those who may not appear wealthy
- Many of today’s urban churches have adopted a business-like model of strategic planning and results-oriented goals. Sometimes long range goals and impact-driven churches can miss out on the good it ought to be doing right around them, sinning as a community
- Even though not everyone in the urban church may be an employer, in the city all good and services are exchanged for money . James challenges the urban church today to compensate people fairly, especially on an individual, consumer, level.
Urban issue Five: Being human: honest expression before self, others, and God.
Guidance from James
- On a personal level – it is not necessary to make oaths when your words are true, if you are experiencing hardships than pray, if you are happy then sing songs of joy (James 5:12-13)
- On a communal level – invite others on your journey. If you are sick then gather the church to pray for you so that you may be healed, if there are sins, confess them so that you may be forgiven (James 5:14-15)
- Trusting God – Trust that God has placed people in your community that can effectively pray for you, and trust that God himself can answer prayers, citing Elijah as an example (James 5:16-18)
Relevance for today’s urban church
- In our world of celebrities, media, and expectations, people often find themselves having to mask who they are, attempting to be like others – James reminds us what it means to be human ~ common sense things like singing when we’re happy
- The urban church in north America tends to be very individualistic. James reminds us that we are a community of grace given by God.
- There is a temptation in our churches today with more technology, tools, strategic planning, and member profiling to attempt to do church our own way; James reminds us that we need to seek God and pray for miracles to happen.
Note – My Prof – Rick Tobias responded to this paper with remarks I’ll never forget.
Lon; I really like you, and in making time to meet with you, I am in fact saying that I believe God has his hand on you. You are so much smarter than this. This is OK, and from many others I would let this pass. You have the potential to shape the church. If you think this shallow you are dangerous. I hope I am not just annoying you because I am really trying to say “there is so much more in you”.
Take a chance; risk; come dance with me. Bend me out of shape.
Make me have to be brave to keep up with your thinking. We could have fun.
