A new resource for congregations of all sizes in all places, The Little Church in the Big City: A Small Church Approach to Big City Challenges聽is a new resource for ALL churches of ALL sizes in ALL places. This resource was endorsed by Rev. Don Ng, former President of ABC-USA and pastor of First Chinese Baptist Church of San Francisco, Rev. Steve Bils, Executive Minister of ABCCPC, Rev. Alfred Centeno, former Area Minister for the Hispanic Convencion, and Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. pastor emeritus of Allen Temple in Oakland California and professor at the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley, California. Take a close look at these resources and pass the word to others.
After 18 years of researching churches, I designed a curriculum unlike any other. There are 8 challenges. Each challenge takes 8-10 weeks. Each one will provide a way for 3 small groups in your congregation to discuss important issues such as indifference, betrayal, homosexuality, racism, immigration, pluralism, polarization, and ideology vs theology AND will guide your church to fulfill the great commission and the two greatest commandments (love God and love your neighbor).
Buy the Introduction and Challenge 1 - 9 on聽. Read them. Make an appointment with your pastor. Ask him or her to use this series in your church!
The Great Commission:聽Then Jesus came to them and said, 鈥淎ll authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age鈥� (Matthew 28:18-20).
The Greatest Commandments:聽鈥淭eacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?鈥� Jesus replied: 鈥溾�楲ove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.鈥� This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 鈥楲ove your neighbor as yourself.鈥� All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments鈥� (Matthew 22:36-40).
This curriculum uses a 鈥榮mall church approach鈥� to 鈥榖ig city鈥� challenges which will help you improve relationships both inside and outside of the church. By design, small groups nourish relationships. This curriculum allows and encourages outsiders to be in a group, thus, inviting them into the conversation. This book instructs pastors and leaders in how to set up this series in their church. Here is the link to get you started:
Challenge 1:听滨苍诲颈蹿蹿别谤别苍肠别
The Loving Way
INTERACTIVE POSTS
Are you concerned about indifference in your church? Churches are in crisis today largely due to indifference and isolation. Pastors are afraid to share with other pastors that they are losing members. Denominational leaders are at a loss. Pastors are stymied, out of ideas, and overwhelmed. Many churches are struggling especially those who serve the least of these in the inner cities. Though some churches send mission groups to Mexico, Haiti, or Belize, rare are those who help churches in the inner city. When churches of all sizes in all places work together to advance the kingdom of God, they bring glory to God whereas indifference, apathy, complacency, and a lack of concern does not. Dr. Bennett has crafted a unique approach that will stimulate your congregation to confront indifference.
Challenge 2:听叠别迟谤补测补濒
The Essential Way
CHOOSING TO SEEK
Congregations rarely suspect members or leaders of betrayal but many who have been hurt by the church rarely attend. After Jesus鈥� crucifixion, all of the disciples either abandoned, doubted, or denied they knew him. Many feel abandoned by those they trusted. Many wrestle with doubts about their faith. Due to a decline in membership, many churches have been closing at an alarming rate. Dr. Bennett has crafted a unique approach that will stimulate your congregation to confront feelings of betrayal.
Challenge 3:听贬辞尘辞蝉别虫耻补濒颈迟测
The Integral Way
CHOOSING TO RESPOND
Is your church confused about homosexuality? The recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to allow same-sex marriage has disheartened many who believe homosexuality is an unhealthy lifestyle or a sin. Churches are divided on this issue. Liberal churches have become welcoming and affirming of homosexuals and many have ordained homosexual pastors. How are conservative evangelical churches confronting this issue? In fact, how is your church responding to heterosexual couples who decide to live together, bear or adopt children, buy a home, and continue to remain unmarried? Dr. Bennett has crafted a unique approach that will stimulate your congregation to respond to a difficult issue that is dividing families as well as churches.
Challenge 4:听搁补肠颈蝉尘
The Incarnational Way
CHOOSING TO COMMIT
Does your church welcome people of another race? Often churches claim to be friendly and welcoming simply because they greet people at the door and offer a welcome packet or gift. Is this what Jesus had in mind when he said to love your neighbor? Most protestant churches in America are divided by race or ethnicity. Some do not even reflect the community where their church is located. Dr. Bennett has crafted a unique approach that will stimulate your congregation to commit to loving neighbors of different races and ethnicities.
Challenge 5:听滨尘尘颈驳谤补苍迟蝉
The Dynamic Way
CHOOSING TO CONNECT
How do your members feel about legal immigrants or refugees? God promised to bless all nations through Abraham and Jesus asked his disciples to go into all the world and share God鈥檚 good news to one and all. Immigrants are pouring into America. Some are Christians fleeing persecution. Many have ties to family and friends in their homeland. Churches in the inner city are perfectly located to reach 鈥渟trangers in a foreign land.鈥� Sadly, many newcomers are being harassed, bullied, and even killed. Unfortunately, many have discovered that the American city is a dangerous place to live and work. Dr. Bennett has crafted a unique approach that will stimulate your congregation to connect with immigrants and protect them.
Challenge 6:听笔濒耻谤补濒颈蝉尘
The Missional Way
CHOOSING TO CARE
Are you concerned about pluralism seeping into the church? In this new age of tolerance, many wonder if all faiths lead to God. God set boundaries of belief for his people. Does your church know those boundaries? Have you prepared your congregation to share God鈥檚 good news with their multi-ethnic and multi-faith neighbors? At Pentecost, God made a way for the early church to reach neighbors who spoke a different language. How are you actively and effectively sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those of a different faith, with a different language, and from a different culture? Dr. Bennett has crafted a unique approach that will stimulate your congregation to care about those who believe differently.
Challenge 7:听笔辞濒补谤颈锄补迟颈辞苍
The Relational Way
CHOOSING TO COOPERATE
Is your church conservative or liberal? The last national presidential election highlighted America鈥檚 conservative/liberal divide. America continues to be hopelessly divided. Denominations are separating over conservative and liberal ideas. What are those ideas? Why are we divided? How can either side be obedient to Jesus who prayed to the father that his church be united as one body (John 17)? Is it possible with God鈥檚 help to listen to those who do not agree and love them? Is it possible to agree on the essentials yet collaborate with those who disagree otherwise? Dr. Bennett has crafted a unique approach that will stimulate your congregation to cooperate with those on the opposite side of the aisle.
Challenge 8:听滨诲别辞濒辞驳测/罢丑别辞濒辞驳测
The Redemptive Way
CHOOSING TO SHARE GOD鈥橲 GOOD NEWS
How did Jesus accomplish what he proclaimed? Did he open a food bank? Did he start a non-profit? Did he send out requests for support? Did he open a hospital or a daycare center? Did he ask for tax exempt status? Did he organize a protest march? This last challenge focuses on six questions your church should be able to answer in order to share the good news of Jesus Christ. 1) Who is God? 2) Who am I? 3) Why is there suffering in the world? 4) Why is there evil in the world? 5) Why do I need a Savior? 6) Why am I a Christian? Dr. Bennett has crafted a unique approach that will stimulate your congregation to restore God鈥檚 true purpose for your church.
You can also find Rev. Dr. Marilyn Bennett on聽.