Urban Ministry
The City
The city is a special place, full of unexpected surprises and paradoxes. Those who make the city their home are a unique people; some are urban pioneers and homesteaders, others are empty-nesters returning home or simply downsizing. Some follow in a long line of several generations of city dwellers. White, Black, Latino, Eastern European, and many others; poor and rich; educated and uneducated, young and old, blue and white-collar, tech geeks, laborers and retired; each contribute their own unique energy to the mix we call urban, each has their own story to tell.
Central to reinvigorating the urban community of faith is knowing intimately the neighborhood turf. Then, and only then, can cultivating and training take place. First though, the urban communities of faith must convey a strong commitment to staying in the neighborhood even when things get tough.
Urban Paradoxes can assist the urban community of faith ...
- In assessing its turf with an eye toward ministry
- In visioning the urban ministry potential
- In creating sustainable urban ministry
- In developing a practical theology of urban ministry that revolves around justice, mercy, and humility
We come to the urban ministry with a background in theology, urban psychology, and a thorough understanding of the dynamics of ministry. While our background is primarily in the Christian Church we can assist all communities of faith, no matter the faith persuasion. For more information please email us.
Brief Biography of Frank A. Mills, Principal, Urban Paradoxes
- Ordained in Presbyterian Church, much of his ministry in the urban church, including chaplain of an urban YMCA and ministry to the alienated and disenfranchised.
- Administrative Faculty (Director of External Affairs) for a major state university
- University Professor, “Cultural Studies,” including urban culture
- Urban Psychologist, psychogeographer, and keen observer of the urban experience
- Publisher of Urban Paradoxes E-Zine
- Extensive work in urban neighborhood assessment, including serving as negotiator for neighborhood disputes for a large city
Urban Paradoxes (The Company) Link
Urban Paradoxes (the company) has evolved from being an urban neighborhood assessment consultancy to a full-fledged documenter of the urban experience. Even so, we have not left our core strengths behind. We are still involved in urban neighborhood assessment. We are still available to assist in the creation and implementation of shared-neighborhood future vision. We are still in the business of urban research and data gathering. However, our repertoire now includes the Urban Paradoxes E-zine, Urban Puncture (urban art), and Modus Vivendi (documentary photography).