Urban Seminary - Part 3
This discussion surrounding my previous two posts on "Imagining an Urban Seminary" (Part 1 & Part 2) has been extremely exciting and challenging. The comments and dialogue that you contributed have been incredibly helpful to us as we seek to make this dream and reality here in our city. Though it has been some time, I knew that a few more posts on the topic were going to be necessary.
While the emphasis of the previous posts have primarily focused on the context of the seminary, I want to examine the importance of the urban centre and urbanization on the emerging church (and the Church at large). Urbanization is seriously under estimated in the examination and development of theology, ministry and ecclesiology, too often dismissed as "ministry niche" or merely one in many contexts. It is also often too narrowly defined as "inner city ministry", when in fact it does (and should) embrace the entire city.
A recent study reported a statistic that has been in the making since the creation of humanity- for the first time in history, more than half of the worlds population now lives in the urban context. Further, with a large percentage of the worlds Christian population living in non-urban context, with cultural, theological and missional models defined by a rural worldview, the disparity between "where" the Church is and the larger world context is growing. We need to recognize the centrality of the urban reality in the emerging church movement.
While this post will be more about putting the question to you, let me outline a two factor that I think are central to this issue:
While the emphasis of the previous posts have primarily focused on the context of the seminary, I want to examine the importance of the urban centre and urbanization on the emerging church (and the Church at large). Urbanization is seriously under estimated in the examination and development of theology, ministry and ecclesiology, too often dismissed as "ministry niche" or merely one in many contexts. It is also often too narrowly defined as "inner city ministry", when in fact it does (and should) embrace the entire city.
A recent study reported a statistic that has been in the making since the creation of humanity- for the first time in history, more than half of the worlds population now lives in the urban context. Further, with a large percentage of the worlds Christian population living in non-urban context, with cultural, theological and missional models defined by a rural worldview, the disparity between "where" the Church is and the larger world context is growing. We need to recognize the centrality of the urban reality in the emerging church movement.
While this post will be more about putting the question to you, let me outline a two factor that I think are central to this issue:
Proximity: In his paper, "Church in the Missional Mode" Michael Frost stated "Missional thinking assumes that proximity to a host community is essential". As the world is becoming increasingly urbanized, the locality of the Church, including its missional communities, educational institutions, etc. must intentionally respond by alligning themselves with this new reality, both in emphasis and physical locality. However, we must understand that this is more than proximity of buildings and ministries, but by necessity is a calling for the radical relocation of our lives to urban contexts.
Theology: In is essential that we understand, especially in North America, that our worldview, and thus our theology, is deeply informed by our rural heritage. Therefore, we must examine and reorient our theology, going beyond application to think implicationally (to borrow from a very helpful concept from Doug Pagitt). Just as our theology is lacking in its exclusively patriarchal focus, so to it is lacking in out exclusion of an urban contextualization.
Theology: In is essential that we understand, especially in North America, that our worldview, and thus our theology, is deeply informed by our rural heritage. Therefore, we must examine and reorient our theology, going beyond application to think implicationally (to borrow from a very helpful concept from Doug Pagitt). Just as our theology is lacking in its exclusively patriarchal focus, so to it is lacking in out exclusion of an urban contextualization.
Thankfully more people are beginning discuss this reality. As North Americans, we have a lot to learn from the UK in this regards, as Europe is far further along in urbanization of worldview and theology as we are (see "Emerging Churches" by Eddie Gibbs & Ryan K. Bolger). The Asian church is also further along, though Europe (especially the UK) is more culturally helpful to the North American context.
How important do you think the urban context is to the emerging church?
What other dynamics do you see as important?
emerging churchWhat other dynamics do you see as important?
Yes, this is Winnipeg. Pictures in the Provincial Legislative Building.
Peace,
Jamie (Comment this)
If you would like a wider context for this post, I would encourage you to read parts 1 & 2 first. However, as I stated in the post, proxity has far more to do with physical location (though it is involved). Throughout North American, many seminaries are either not urban or, if they are in urban locations, function in a bubble. This isn''t true of all schools (which you mentioned of UofC Div. School- thanks), but it is still a discouraging trend.
I also think that more school needs to integrated with the urban poor. I know that I mentioned that urban ministry is more than inner city ministry, but there is a still a great imbalance in the Church in their emphasis (or lack thereof) on the poor & marginalized.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Peace,
Jamie (Comment this)
Thanks for the great suggestion. I hope others will find it consider it as an option.
Peace,
Jamie (Comment this)
via con dios
-Emilo (Comment this)
I was speaking of seminaries in general. I know many excellent Catholic seminaries, especially the Jesuits, that I respect a great deal. However, your claim of "ALL" Catholic seminaries functioning this way is simply not true.
Also, while I always enjoy other perspectives at this blog, I would ask that you use a modicum of respect if you continue to comment here. You challenge me for lacking research, so I would ask you show the same practice.
Peace,
Jamie (Comment this)
I agree with Emilo. You seem to make BOLD claims that lack any foundation. Where do you get your data?
(Comment this)
Thanks for your question. If you would like to be specific, I will provide you with the data I have been using.
As far as the North American rural/agrarian worldview, this is based on a great deal of sociological and historical research, based on United Nations papers, university texts, etc. If you would like to offer a different view, I am more than happy to consider it.
As for my claim that more than half the worlds population is now in urban centres, it has been released by the United Nations and several other sources. If you would like direct sources on this one, let me know. I am not at home at the moment, so I don''t have it with me.
Any other areas I did not provide adequate sources? Would you like to present a different perspective? Please feel free to use this space to do so, as you are welcome.
Peace,
Jamie (Comment this)
Anyway...
Jamie,
After my initial sceptical take on this idea (I am gen-X after all), I have come to warm up considerably to it. I seem to remember in an earlier post that you had said one of the problems with seminaries (in general, of course, gentlemen and ladies) is that they have become disconnected from the Church. The university has taken over the seminary and is training pastors to be professionals and not missionaries, that is, tied to the mission of the church (I''ve been reading the Catholic Cathechism - beautiful stuff about the missionality of the Church). I wonder if this point is the central one.
I agree with the proximity issue, but I''m not sure it is essential. If seminaries trained missionary pastors, tied so closely to the purpose of the Church - the mission of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit - then I think we would see a revolution (I hate that word) in local churches. I don''t know how this starts because I think the drive for this needs to come from the local church in taking back the education of its pastors from the university (or liberal arts Bible Colleges that try to impress secular universities - not mentioning any names, of course).
Don
p.s. I need to connect you with David from St. M''s. I think he has a similar idea in starting a leadership training center from the church. In fact, most of the above ideas are his. (Comment this)
Thanks so much for commenting. I really appreciate your very helpful insights. And it is a breath of fresh air after several less than charitable comments.
I think you really summed it up VERY well when you said:
"The university has taken over the seminary and is training pastors to be professionals and not missionaries, that is, tied to the mission of the church"
As for proximity being essential, I think you are also helping clarify something I failed to articulate well. I believe proximity is something that needs to happen FAR MORE than it is, but I agree that it is NOT universally essential. Many examples teach us otherwise (some monastics being one good examples).
"If seminaries trained missionary pastors, tied so closely to the purpose of the Church - the mission of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit - then I think we would see a revolution (I hate that word) in local churches. I don''''t know how this starts because I think the drive for this needs to come from the local church in taking back the education of its pastors from the university (or liberal arts Bible Colleges that try to impress secular universities - not mentioning any names, of course)"
Well said!
Thanks again for sharing.
Peace,
Jamie (Comment this)
I am sorry your feel that way. However, many people appreciate the content, so I would suggest that, unless you want to contribute beyond this kind of criticism, you try to show some respect. Everyone is welcome to comment here, even the critiques, as long as it is productive.
Peace,
Jamie (Comment this)
I recently stumbled upon your blog...I''m enjoying it very much. I even added you to my blog roll. I am an urban missionary down in Minneapolis.
Part of the challenge with having Seminaries which speak to urban contexts is that Seminaries are almost inherently separated from context. If we want to have urban Seminaries that are authentically shaped by their urban contexts, we''ll need the following:
1. Seminary education should be longer, and have its internship components woven throughout the seminary experience.
2. Seminaries need to resist the impulse to become completely commuter campuses. Living on campus could be utilized to help foster a truly missional education, but only if living on campus meant "living in the neighborhood" rather than "living within the bubble."
3. Seminaries need to be set free from its captivity to the Academy. I''m saying this as someone who intends to start a PhD in the near future. I realize that intellectual rigor is important, but some of the academic structures work against the ideal of a contextualized urban seminary. Some of these are: having only PhDs as professors, requiring that students be conversant with well-known Western theologians, when their time may be better spent conversing with other global voices, and the emphasis on writing and research rather than on ministry development projects.
4. We need to broaden our standards. Too often, we assume that quality ministry leadership requires a formal seminary education. If I were to start the ideal urban seminary, odds are it wouldn''t pass accreditation standards. In other words, someone could go through the ideal urban ministry training, which is filled with hands on experience and rigorous constructive theological training, and not be an "M.Div." We need to find alternative ways of evaluating someone''s education...perhaps a tougher application process.
These are just a few of my thoughts. Keep up the good work, Jamie. (Comment this)
Thanks so much for adding your thoughts here. Are you ever in Winnipeg? If so, I''d love to connect.
Peace,
Jamie (Comment this)
Like yourself, I used to visit your city frequently, but not in recent years. I''ll let you know if I head your way. Feel free to email at jamiearpinricci AT gmail DOT com
Peace,
Jamie (Comment this)
I have thought about adding my voice to the blog world. Trying to serve there as I can. But so many bloggers come on who do not have a listening, interacting, "give and take" spirit. It discourages one from trying.
As a seminary grad with an M-Div, I find myself in full agreement with what you are saying here. I think there is some movement in a better, "hands-on", internship emphasis, at least at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (formerly Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary) from which I graduated. And I appreciate your emphasis on urban, inner city ministry. May your tribe increase.
Ted (Comment this)
Thanks for your adding your perspective. I think you shoud reconsider starting a blog, especially if it has been on your heart. Yes, you do get the occasional problematic commenter, but by and large, it has been hugely rewarding for me.
Peace,
Jamie (Comment this)