Part of my recent decision to plant a new church in Memphis included the destruction of a personal idol.
I call this “idealized city idolatry.”
You know the people that have an ideal version of some church in their head? They keep waiting for this perfect church that suits them just perfectly in all the perfect ways. They keep waiting for this church that does not exist and so they never commit. They church hop all their days.
I don’t do that. At least not with churches. I do that with cities.
In the past, in processing a call to start a church, I have idolized the idea of what city I would plant in. It’s hard to explain, but if you know me, you might understand that I was waiting for that perfect city. In recent months God has broken me of this.
Hebrews 11 paints a picture of Abraham also yearning for a city – but his city was designed and built by God (v. 10). That is what gave him and all those saints who faced tremendous difficulties the power to follow God on mission – they hoped for (and in) a lasting city – a city with “foundations.” Abraham’s city was the new City to come.
Why don’t you (and I and all urban lovers out there) make a decision to stop looking for an idealized city here on earth (London! San Fran! Boston! Wherever You Last Visited!) and instead love the city right in front of you, plain as the nose on your face? It’s not going to be the perfect city. In fact, isn’t that the point? The real city (not the idealized one in your head) is most likely extremely broken.
But you and I are called, through the work of the gospel, to love that city, to help shape that city. Are you working, living, shopping, building relationships, doing justice, loving mercy, creating culture, and planting churches in such a way that the city right in front of you increasingly resembles that new City to come?
Tags: church planting, city, culture, social justice
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You mean the grass isn’t greener on the other side!?
Good word, Jonathan. I’ve often idolized the perfect city myself. I think part of the strength of the entrepreneurial/church planting spirit is that we love to do new and exciting things and go to new and exciting places, but it’s also a weakness…especially when it becomes an idol as you’ve pointed out here. A timely post for me. Thanks!
So, ‘Love the one your with’? Right on. I came to Chicago in 1995 not wanting to love this city. Now I feel like Chicago is a testable component of my actual blood right along with iron and platelets. Praying God’s hand of favor on your Gospel work in Memphis, brother.
Great thoughts.
I’m guilty of ignoring the great city I live in (Minneapolis / St Paul) and idealizing some of my other favorite places around the world. Especially when I hear it’s gong to be -5 tomorrow!
However, petty issues such as weather are nothing compared to the privilege of loving and serving the people of this city.
Thanks guys.
Jake – I agree that a lot that is the restlessness that comes with the entrepreneurial spirit.
Kevin – you’re right, it is kind of like marriage. I think there need to be things that are already attractive to you about the city in which you minister, but its when you commit you grow to love her more deeply.
Eric – excellent word.
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Oh for the love of Mike! Just start putting, “Gabe,” in front of every post you put up. The commandment would likely work fine that way.
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Gabe, love the city in front of you.
See? Works like a charm.
The Talking Heads have a song about this.
I idealize the type of church too much.
I love KC! Never wanted another, although I was thinking of moving to Memphis.. until this post. Now I realize that might be sinful.
The strength of the old parish system – for all it’s faults – was that it considered every square inch of ground the proper object of Christ’s reign and great commission. As Francis Schaeffer said, there are “No Little People and No Little Places”. It’s easy to fantasize what might be if we could have things “our way”… it keeps us from working diligently – as you’ve said – with what the Lord has put in front of us.
Jmac, this is good man. reflecting on our convo several weeks ago and to see the fruit that has played out in you and me since then…it’s good, very good.
Brilliant.