Friday: Further Thought – Urban Ministry in the End Time
Read Ministry to the Cities, (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald® Publishing Association, 2012). It is a collection from the Ellen G. White Estate of most of the Ellen G. White materials on urban ministry.
City
A Seventh-day Adventist expert in urban ministries did a study in the Ellen G. White periodical index regarding her counsel on moving in or out of the cities. Out of 107 articles, 24 articles gave instruction on moving out or establishing institutions outside cities. But 75 articles gave specific instruction to move into the cities to reach the cities. The other eight articles were neutral. A church historian summarized Ellen G. White’s counsel on city work, showing that relating to institutions, she advocated working from outpost centers outside the city, and when dealing with local church work, she advocated working from within the city.
What are the plans in your church to reach the cities? Where is your local church located in relationship to the nearest major metropolitan area? No church should think that reaching the cities is irrelevant to them. Every Adventist congregation needs to make some contribution toward this most important missionary goal. Ignoring the cities and focusing only on reaching the areas outside the metropolitan regions is not a faithful response to the mission that Jesus has given us.
“Why should not families who know the present truth settle in these cities? . . . There will be laymen who will move into . . . cities . . ., that they may let the light which God has given them shine forth to others.” – Ellen G. White in Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, September 29, 1891.
Discussion Questions:
- Think about the wonderful message that we have been given. Think about the hope that we have, the promise of a better life now, and the great hope of eternity. What are some of your favorite texts, texts that especially reveal the hope that we have in Jesus? Why are they so meaningful to you? Share them together in class on Sabbath.
- Try to imagine what it must be like not having any hope, just thinking that this life is it, with all its struggles and toils and hurt, and then you die and just rot in the grave. This is what many, especially the vast masses in the cities, believe. How then can we learn to have a great love for souls and a willingness to reach out to them, wherever they live?
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The reference to the EGW articles - some saying leave the cities, some saying settle in the cities to engage in the work - might be clarified somewhat by the following thought -
"The cities also are to be worked. It is not wise to take novices to do this work. Take those whom you know to be quick to perceive the situation..." (Manuscript 83, 1897.)
People of Christian experience and Christian perception were being called to move into the cities. But she explains [or warns] that it was not wise to take novices into that work, or into that environment. In my opinion this is one of the useful qualifying statements on the subject. Some feel that she contradicts herself in this, and in many other matters, but I do not accept that claim at all.
I get frustrated at the "contradictory" ideas, also. It is easy for people to approach her writings with preconceived ideas and cherry pick quotes that agree with that. But if one looks at the whole picture one comes up with a balanced perspective that recognizes different outcomes for different situations. You have pointed out a good example here. There are many, and those who fail to recognize this do us all great harm.
The word, hypocrisy came to my mind. Meaning in simple English, One does not do what they say. A hypocrite is one that puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion. I ask myself, am I guilty. Matthew 6:1,2. Jesus gives us guidance that may have some application to subject material under discussion. Careful consideration is a notation in some of the lessons .
Discussion point 2-There are many who simply accept that this is life and there is nothing else afterwards. These are usually those who think they need to 'skid into the grave sideways' and live for every possible 'life experience'. Offering an alternative is very difficult when it requires humility, restraint and thought for others.
God has placed me in a 'mission field ' here in my own home- husband, all my children, grandchildren and step family as well, all of whom I love deeply. None will even acknowledge that Christ is real and sometimes I feel that I am in a minefield of controversy.
Without the guidance from above and the Spirit of Prophecy to guide me, I would be overwhelmed. I feel like I am a novice as I just don't have the right words sometimes. I am sure there are others who have similar situations and we need prayers and support as we continue to try and sow the seed of God's love so that the Holy Spirit can take over and do the rest. I leave my family in God's hands but try to live as He would want me to that they may see a better way.
I love the 23rd Psalm for comfort now, and for a future hope 1 Cor 15
v 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
1Corinthians 15 takes some study. Apostle Paul primarily emphasizes the truth concerning the resurrection of the dead. He relates the same thought a number of times. Verse 29 is interesting in that we know that baptizing or praying for the dead as some currently believe, is a misconceived doctrine. Verse 22 is the Hope that we aught all give thanks for.