Urban Discovery Ministries Transforming Inner City Evangelism

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  UDM Exists
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Urban Discovery Ministries Equips  Workers For Inner City Outreach
And He gave some . . . evangelists . . .  for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. 
Eph. 4:11-12

• Extend Real Mercy
• Expand Core Values
• Expand Mission Statements
• Expand Vision Statements
• Transform Status Quo Thinking
• Prevent "Ghettoization"
• Discover "Mercy-Driven Purpose"
• Change Structures Strategically

Quotes on this page from Mike Fariss' new book, Transforming Inner City Evangelism, give insights into UDM's Biblical strategic planning consulting

Do I care about inner city families?
"Leaders should evaluate their mission statements to determine the answer. The level of their concern for the salvation of inner city families becomes evident in their philosophies of ministry. If leaders care, then their core value, mission and vision statements should reflect their compassion."

Do I value those who care?
"Since leaders set core values for their ministries, they should prepare for the possibility that the Lord has sent caring people into their congregations to edify from the top down. To ensure success, this mobilization should start with leaders taking the first initiatives.

Do I value role of the evangelist?
"Christ gives evangelists to His Church to prepare His people to carry out the work of evangelism. Since evangelistic fervor must become woven into every fabric of church body life, pastors and church boards should appreciate the importance of including evangelists in their strategic planning."

What is Christ's definition of true mercy?
"Jesus responds by quoting from Hosea 6:6 and giving this command: “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (Matt. 9:12 NIV). This challenge to the Pharisees has significant implications for understanding the commission to show mercy in Luke 10, where Jesus discusses the parable of the Good Samaritan. By quoting Hosea 6:6 in Matthew 9:12, Jesus elevates the meaning of mercy. He uses the Greek word eleos to translate Hosea’s Old Testament Hebrew word, checed. His interchange of these words supports the interpretation that He also meant chesed when He referred to mercy in the Good Samaritan passage in Luke 10. Chesed means more than taking pity or showing kindness to those in need. It is the wonderful, enduring covenant love that the LORD bestowed on His people throughout the Old Testament."

What is the difference between Mercy and Benevolence?
"The bond of belonging together in a relationship of love characterizes checed mercy and distinguishes it from benevolence. For example, God’s benevolence does not oblige Him to enter into ongoing love relationships with those in need “for He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous” (Matt. 5:45). Entering into covenant relationships with sinful people through this kind of mercy cost God most dearly because it required the atoning death of His Son. In contrast, God’s benevolence comes from His infinite storehouse of resources. When one considers how God’s self-sustaining, infinite power is available to Him for showing goodness to His creatures, it becomes apparent that He gives benevolence at relatively little cost to Himself. Checed mercy, on the other hand, requires of Him this loyal, steadfast relationship of love where God becomes personally bonded with destitute persons to redeem them for eternity."
 

UDM Now Offering:
1. Outreach Training
Bible College or Seminary Courses
Weekend Seminars
Sunday School Classes
Small Group Discussions

2. Consulting for Christian Schools and Missions Organizations

3. Evangelism and Church Planting Institute 
Level 1: Evangelism Training
Equips church evangelism leaders with basic skills to edify others 
Level 2: Community Evangelism Projects
Mobilizes church members to evangelize targeted neighborhoods using home Bible studies.
Level 3: Church Equipping
Assists churches to develop and implement strategic, customized plans to evangelize families in particular neighborhoods.
Level 4: Church Planting Institute
Mentors church planters through five stages designed for those actively involved in urban church planting. 

P.O. Box 6381  Norfolk, VA 23508  
Phone: 757-622-1665   FAX: 757-622-1348  Email: udm@urbandiscovery.org

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1996

2006
 

Ironies in Mercy Outreach
"Calling Christians to act justly and love mercy through social action is quite complicated by the ironies associated with combining theological issues with secular politics . . . The doctrinal debate about the social gospel between liberal and evangelical theologians is inseparably interwoven with the opposing political party platforms of secular humanists and conservatives . . .
separating White and Black Christians along political party lines. With this and many other ironic divisions, I believe Satan diabolically prevented Black and White Christians from standing together on theological and political issues."

Reasons to Be Optimistic About Evangelical Ministry in the Inner City:

Cultural Diversity and Compassion

Growing Influences of Compassionate Christians

Changing Hearts

Strategic Leadership

Demise of Status Quo Churches

Faith in the Lord of the Harvest

Removing the Devil's Footholds that Discredit the Gospel:

Feelings of Racially Superiority

Economic Evangelism

Domination Evangelism

Paternalistic Evangelism

Racial Segregation

Divided Good Doctrine

10/40 Window

Implementing a Strategy of Jesus from Luke 10
 

    How Prepared is Your Church/ Ministry for Beginning Inner City Outreach?  "DNA Analysis"