"For the City" is the story of two pastors whose hearts were gripped by the need for a church in the inner core of their cities. It outlines a gosp...
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reviews
Jul 25, 2011
Jon
rated it: 
gospel-centered overview of urban focused planting work.
humbly presented stories of God's grace fruitful times and lean times...including areas of chastening and discipline.
left me with a desire to reach into the needy areas of my community capitalizing on the relationships and oppurtunities God has already given me
clear discussion of contextualization with helpful real-life stories of over-contextualizaion and under-contextualizaion.
analysis of in-the-ci More...
humbly presented stories of God's grace fruitful times and lean times...including areas of chastening and discipline.
left me with a desire to reach into the needy areas of my community capitalizing on the relationships and oppurtunities God has already given me
clear discussion of contextualization with helpful real-life stories of over-contextualizaion and under-contextualizaion.
analysis of in-the-ci More...
Dec 30, 2011
Brett
rated it:
The world is becoming increasingly urban – and quickly. It is easy for churches to feel overwhelmed, embattled, and confused. Rather than responding to the city by fortifying or compromising, Patrick and Carter unpack what it means to be gospel-centered churches that works for the welfare of the city (Jeremiah 29:4-9) to the glory of God (not churches simply IN, AGAINST, or OF the city, but churches FOR the city). For The City tells the stories of Patrick (Journey Church; St. Louis, MO) and C
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Nov 08, 2011
Aaron
rated it:
My full review is available at Blogging Theologically:
What does it mean for a church to be “for the city”? As humanity increasingly becomes more urbanized, this question grows in importance. Pastors Darrin Patrick and Matt Carter have spent the last several years of their ministries trying to figure out what that means and what it looks like for the church to serve the city to the glory of God. And in their new book, For the City: Proclaiming and Living Out the Gospel, Patrick and Ca More...
What does it mean for a church to be “for the city”? As humanity increasingly becomes more urbanized, this question grows in importance. Pastors Darrin Patrick and Matt Carter have spent the last several years of their ministries trying to figure out what that means and what it looks like for the church to serve the city to the glory of God. And in their new book, For the City: Proclaiming and Living Out the Gospel, Patrick and Ca More...
Oct 26, 2011
Jared
rated it:
"If your church closed its doors tomorrow, would your city even know it was gone?"
Church planting and community transformation are both hot topics in Christian print right now. For the City by Darrin Patrick and Matt Carter lies at the intersection of those two topics. However, the book grows out of the blood, sweat, and passion of two churches and pastors and is anything but opportunistic. Indeed it is a passionate plea to the body of Christ to live lives changed by the gosp More...
Church planting and community transformation are both hot topics in Christian print right now. For the City by Darrin Patrick and Matt Carter lies at the intersection of those two topics. However, the book grows out of the blood, sweat, and passion of two churches and pastors and is anything but opportunistic. Indeed it is a passionate plea to the body of Christ to live lives changed by the gosp More...
Nov 15, 2011
Gregory
rated it: 
This is a fantastic book. It is practical, readable, and very honest. Matt and Darrin have made plenty of mistakes in their respective ministry journeys, and they share these honestly, as well as the lessons they've learned. The stories of their lives, and of the two churches they now lead, is very encouraging. Matt and Darrin are well-grounded, in the Reformed Baptist tradition, but they know how to make the never-changing Gospel relevant to the people in the cities they serve. Another mus
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Dec 28, 2011
Luke
rated it: 
I absolutely loved the autobiographical components of this book. The writers especially Patrick so graciously and honestly detail the up and downs of their church plants. Those sections were extremely compelling. A really strong book for a niche audience of church planters interested in city ministry.
Jul 18, 2011
Ben
rated it:
What I liked most about this book, is that for patrick it was definitely a sequel to church planter. Hearing the accounts of both him and carter's planting stories was extremely humbling. To see where these guys started and how broken at times they still are. Honest read from both, no sugar coating, just raw in the moment writing on ministering to Gods people.
Feb 13, 2012
The best aspect of this book is that it isn't a defense of the city or a comparison between the city and the burbs. Instead it is aimed at those who already has a heart for the city or feel called there. It is immensely practical and deeply theological. It is moving and significant. Anyone with a heart for serving the city would benefit from it.
Jun 04, 2011
Jill
rated it:
What I liked best about this book is that it chronicles the birth and growth of The Austin Stone. If you want to understand the heartbeat of my church, read this book!
Jul 13, 2011
Caroline
rated it:
Interesting read, a little out of context for me (the majority of the book was about church planting). Loved hearing the story behind one of my favorite churches, Austin Stone. Worth the read for the chapter "community" alone.
Nov 14, 2011
Becca
rated it:
Excellent, easy to read book about gospel centered change in your city. It's more than social justice, it's about how to help those around us now that we have been helped by the grace of Jesus.
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