Urban Ministry: An Introduction

by Ronald E. Peters

Publisher:

Abingdon Press

, 2011

A comprehensive introduction to the particular challenges and opportunities of congregational ministry in urban settings.Urban ministry has long been a part of seminary curricula, but a basic and definitive understanding of what students should know as they prepare for congregational ministry in the city has remained elusive. Too often it is assumed that the theological resources developed for ministry in other settings are adequate for urban ministry, but these resources fail to account for the unique challenges and opportunities of the urban setting. Ronald Peters clarifies the nature of urban ministry as a theological discipline by showing how its core values of love, justice, community, and reconciliation (among others) engage the issues of economics, education, family life, public health, ethnic relations, and religious life in the urban environment. Arguing that the city has always served as an arena of God's activity, Peters articulates a theological rationale for urban ministry that is both hopeful and yet realistic, affirming that God loves the city and its people and encouraging practitioners to do the same.

Product Details

• Title : Urban Ministry: An Introduction
• Author: Peters, Ronald E.
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Publication Date: 2011
• ISBN: 9781426737022

About Ronald E. Peters

Rev. Dr. Ronald Edwards Peters, Henry L. Hillman, professor of urban ministry, has been a member of the Seminary faculty since 1991 and teaches courses in the areas of church and ministry, education, Bible, and ethics. He brings 18 years of pastoral ministry experience in the urban context to the Seminary classroom. His writings include a treatise on “Christians Celebrating Kwanzaa”, “Race and Toxic Waste” and a seven-lesson Bible study series on Mark’s Gospel entitled “Christian Discipleship” published by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Men’s Ministry Unit. He has been a consultant for the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church on a number of urban social policy, justice and racial/ethnic concerns. Current research interests include faith-based community ministry, men’s ministry issues, reconciliation as public policy, at-risk youth, family ministry, and African spirituality. He is married to Mary Smith Peters and they have two adult children. *The Pittsburgh community has been enriched many times by the Hillmans’ dedication and sensitivity to the concerns of our society and its many needs. A graduate of Princeton University, Henry L. Hillman was a naval aviator during World War II. The Hillman Company covers many enterprises and Hillman is in wide demand, serving as director to a number of corporations throughout the country. His wife Elsie is a nationally recognized leader in public affair. The Seminary community salutes the Hillman Foundation for establishing this chair in urban ministry.