Exegeting the City

Why not have an intentional period of discovery? - for instance, a year ? . . . followed by a time of defining mission responses and initiatives . . . and then a time of decisive implementation . . .

Pastors 'exegete' the Scriptures - which is a way of seeking to research, interpret and explain the text. Application and suggested response comes only after good exegesis has occurred. Congregations too need to research their own local contexts of ministry, that is - their neighbourhoods, towns, cities, regions - their 'world.' Only then can informed and adequate response in ministry outreach be effective.

Exegeting your ministry locus might include the following:

1.  Develop a brief history of your city (region, area), noting key persons, and major turning points in the life of the city.

2.  Describe the major gate-keepers or power-brokers (individuals, institutions or coalitions) in each of the following:

A. Business / Manufacturing

B.  Schools, Colleges, Universities

C.  Financial Community

D.  Governments: city, regional, county

E.  Health Care Providers

F.  Civic Organizations (Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.)

3.  Who are the major people (ethic) groups and sub-groups in your city? Who are the gate keepers of each? Where are they located? What are their major institutions?

4.  What are the distinct neighbourhoods of your city?  How many - and what are their boundaries? Are the 'political' boundaries the same as the natural boundaries? Which are the most affluent / powerful neighbourhoods: why? Which are the least powerful neighbourhoods: why? Which neighbourhoods or the most or least: stable, declining or dying?

5.  Is there a word, several words, or a phrase that would help to describe your city?

6.  Are there identifiable trends that would be true for your city?

7.  Who are the influential churches in the city? What types of people are drawn to them and what kinds of ministries have they effectively undertaken?

8.  Which groups would you identify as the most influential community organizations in your city? Who are the gate-keepers in them? Are they advocates and/or community developers?

9.  Who sets the public agenda for your city and region?

10.  Who are the significant non-profit organizations, 'para-church' agencies and social agencies in your city. Who are the influential leaders in them?

11.  How many persons make up the various cultures, sub-cultures and ethnic groups in your community? Where do they live? Who are their influential leaders? What significant cultures, institutions, emphases are part of their lives? What significant lifestyle and mind-set features do you find in them? How are they self-described, religiously?

12.  What are the strengths and weaknesses of the following city systems? - public schools, criminal justice, health care, housing, recreation

 What area constitutes your immediate neighbourhood? Are its boundaries natural (river, expressways, schools, park, etc.) or political? In general, is your neighbourhood vital, transitional, stable, declining, other?

Who is living in your neighbourhood? new Canadians? identifiable sub-groups?

Census data is readily available to help in assessment (from government sources, through religious mission groups like Outreach Canada, etc.).