URBAN MIDTERM

Demographics

statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it

The study of demography draws “heavily on biology and sociology of migration; and on the health sciences for analyses of mortality

Why do demographics matter?

• to gain an understanding of a community, where they are now, and where they are headed

• predict social, cultural, and economic trends among populations

three things regarding population changes

• fertility: a birth may take place

• mortality: a death may occur

• migration: person can either move into or out of a community

ways gospel can be applied

• depicting gospel in modern times

  • •“In Acts chapter 15 the early church made the wise decision to not require the gentile converts to Jesus to practice the law of Moses.”

• apologetic reasoning toward the existence of God

  • •“When the Apostle Paul spoke to the Greeks at Mars Hill he didn't quote from the Old Testament scriptures.”

• holiness in love

  • “Each Christian is called to holiness, which John Wesley referred to as ‘perfect love.’ ”

All things to all people

Missionaries need to understand the cultures, customs, struggles, experiences, and trauma with the lost so they have a framework for decisions they make, how they think, and how they can best understand and have their hearts moved to the gospel.

• 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV) though i am free and belong no to no one, i have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

gentrification

process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in – displacing current inhabitants

“The process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents.”

three reasons for gentrification

1. changes in demographics

2. changes in economy

3. lifestyle choices

immigration

Palen estimates that upwards of 45 million immigrants have arrived prior to the 1920’s.

In 2005 there were 37 million foreign-born people in the U.S.

●First Wave - From the British Isles before the Revolutionary War.

●Second Wave - From 1820 to 1880 people fled the potato famine in Ireland. Who were then followed by the Germans and Scandinavians.

●Third Wave - Between 1880 and the 1920s, there were immigrations of people of Slavic, Polish, Jewish, Italian, or Greek heritage.

●This growth of Hispanic and Asian immigrants is termed as the “fourth-wave” of immigration.

the slums

● Due to the industrial boom and other factors of the 19th century; America saw an enormous growth of immigrants from overseas.

● “They were packed into teeming slums and delegated the lowest-paying and most menial jobs.”- Palen

●According to Palen, 40 percent of the 1910 population were foreign born.

trauma among homeless

- sexual violence and prostitution, childhood maltreatment, abuse, and domestic violence

- leading to higher rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a higher rate of substance abuse

mental and emotional trauma

theme throughout the urban homeless

• is a response to physical trauma the homeless have endured

• damages emotional and cognitive responses based on traumatic events.

sexual trauma

many of the homeless have endured

• pronounced precursor to prostitution and sexual victimization of women living in homelessness

physical trauma

childhood physical trauma: significant element in urban homeless

can cause numerous mental, emotional, and physical reactions that can contribute to the rate of homelessness among those who have experienced physical abuse

poverty

Argument for the only way to eliminate homelessness is to eliminate:

fundraising

necessity in urban missions environments

• 1. Monthly support - This is generally a smaller monthly gift from an individual, family, or church that helps support the organization through monthly contribution.

  2. Fundraising Events - Things such as banquets, golf tournaments, 5ks, auctions, yard sales, and more. These events focus on bringing in larger sums of money in a small 1-2 day event that sustain the work for a few months.

• 3. Grants - generally considered larger sources of funding (though they can be smaller) grants can be both one time or recurring donations for a specific cause or purpose. Generally given from a larger organization, nonprofit, or benefit with specific instructions.

  - Grants can be designated to be used for specific projects and events and often require proof of where funding was used.

Monthly support

go to funding for most missionaries in the majority of modern movements

challenges in fundraising

1. US missions is at time looked at with bias by some individuals.

2. There is stigma around urban cities, the homeless, and the poor leading some people to think they should “get a job” and move on.

3. Fundraising is a painstaking task and is challenging in the best of circumstances.

4. Urban missionaries serve in the US and in inner cities where things tend to be more expensive, thus causing higher budgets.

5. Urban missionaries lead organization and plant churches, these come with further expense and are often unsustainable without outside mission funding.

practical implications

Romans 10:13-15

how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

•Incarnational Ministry. “Incarnational ministry is the idea that we not only proclaim Christ to others but we actually carry His love and share his love with people who need it.”

•Discipleship/Evangelism. "Discipleship is vital. Wesley's approach was expansive, to go out and beyond the church walls.”

•Biblical Servanthood. “Servanthood is the idea that we serve.  We live in a lowly way, serving others, and meeting their needs.”

missiology in the Bible

● the Bible is a complete missions writing constantly pointing believers to share the good news with the lost

Acts 1:8; Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15

passages do not specify roles of those called to reach the lost

responsibility of all believers to reach the lost