Training for Urban Mission

In 2004 the UMDA undertook a survey of 128 urban mission practitioners, from across the Christian spectrum across the UK in 2004, revealed that a high proportion (32%) prioritised the need for more support on wrestling with the theological and spiritual issues they faced, of whom 16% mentioned an understanding of the Gospel in context. A further 49% wanted better access to practical project related information. Overall the research showed that contextualising theology and making sense of the multiple tasks and demands of urban ministry, where fresh expressions of church are often developed, were the key needs.

The 1984 Faith in the City Report called for training in contextualised theology. These skills are generic as they equip people for mission in whatever context they serve. The follow-up Faithful Cities Report, 2006, stresses this again in Recommendation 2.

A Symposium of 30 urban mission trainers and practitioners held on the topic in 2006 (download report here) revealed that several innovative courses are being developed for lay people and colleges are developing greater resources in terms of teaching on contextual theology and reflective practitioner training. This learning needs to be developed further and made more accessible to all urban practitioners across the Christian spectrum. Knowledge of where to access the practical training is even patchier.

There is increasing intention amongst lay people, particularly from the independent and charismatic, evangelical wing of the church, to move into tough urban settings as part of their Christian witness. Agencies and training courses are being set up to support this, but few have long-standing experience of the demands of and the spiritual and practical resources needed to sustain such ministry. Learning needs to be shared on this. A further symposium was held by UMDA in 2007 looking at church planting into urban settings to begin to fill this gap. A report of the symposium is available to download here.

All the traditional denominations are not good at growing leaders from within poor urban settings, especially in recognising them through ordination. The challenge is to equip leaders from different UK settings to both engage effectively with urban cultures and to move towards a pattern where urban mission is more locally staffed and sustained.