|TOP|The Methodist Church and the Evangelical Coalition for Urban Mission (ECUM) introduce a growing ecumenical urban mission that they jointly sponsor, which is set to give a “boost” to the church.

The mission particularly concentrates on 'edgy' and fringe ministry serving the inner city/town (often mixed housing and multi-racial), outer estates (often large areas of mainly low rise housing and white majority areas), and city/town centre (including retail chaplaincy; Street Pastors; work with street sleepers, sex workers, night clubs and 'loft living' new city dwellers).

The project recognises that the solutions to some of the issues in these areas can only be solved by city-wide action through: prayer, involvement in civil structures, and commitment by the suburban churches to a generous engagement and enabling of these processes.

Here are the five main outcomes planned for the Project:

1. linked databases of projects and denominational officers active in urban mission, for most of the major urban/metropolitan areas

2. self-sustaining networks of practitioners at the urban/metropolitan level in those areas, supported by a coalition of such networks

3. help for churches in interpreting relevant government policies

4. better access to information on funding for urban mission

|AD|5. the identification of the key issues for urban mission and theology and the training needs that come out of that.

The York and Humber Urban Mission Network will kick off later this year, which will serve as a model for the whole country. Following the Yorkshire and Humber regions, the network focus will shift to Wales and the North West.

“One of the best kept secrets in many churches” says Erica Dunmow, the Urban Mission Development Advisor, “is that mission in urban areas has often been at the cutting edge of ministry, developing new forms of outreach and expressions of church in an often under- recognised way, and quietly being alongside the outcasts with whom Jesus builds his kingdom.”

The Project is currently concentrating on creating networks of urban mission practitioners and identifying key urban mission issues to best deliver training for mission in urban areas.

Dunmow: “There is so much that is good and exciting to share, but also a lot that can be done to help the churches in urban areas more able to respond to the moving of the Spirit. The work that gets done in urban areas has got so much to offer to the wider church.”

“I’m really heartened by the fact that many Christians who might have trodden separate paths in the past, are seeing common ground in Jesus’ mission and talking and praying together more, and sometimes working together too”, continues Dunmow. “And there is a better integration with the community and voluntary sector as well. It’s a bit ironic that a government requirement for agencies to work more closely with faith communities has sometimes been the stimulus for this, but good that it’s happening more.”

For more information on the project, click here.