Description: As the world hurtles towards urbanization at an
ever-increasing pace, there arises the need for further theological
reflection on the city. Globalization, international immigration, and
densification in cities are having a transformative impact on the urban
landscape. Urban mission is at the forefront of many denominations,
church planting networks, ministries, and mission organizations yearning
for citywide transformation. How are we to think biblically and
theologically about the city? View from the Urban Loft will take readers
through the development of cities throughout history, act as a guide to
navigating the current forces shaping urban environments, and seek to
uncover a theology of the city that gives Christians a rationale and a
biblical understanding of the meaning and purposes of the city and then
how to live in it for the glory of God. Endorsements: ""Since Gorringe's
Theology of the Built Environment came out, I've been yearning for
someone to write a more accessible version for missional practitioners
and church planters. Enter Sean Benesh. View from the Urban Loft not
only covers the history and theology of the city, but anchors those
insights in a missional framework, offering real hope for those us
trying to shape authentic neighborhoods and transformed cities.""
-Michael Frost, author of The Road to Missional ""Sean Benesh brings a
church planter's heart, vital experience, and good theological
reflection to the task of reminding and equipping the church to engage
the urban setting. A worthy read for those called to reach the city.""
-Alan Hirsch author of The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional
Church ""Sean provides a fine overview of the contemporary issues for
articulating a theology of the city. His insights for integration of
those issues into an urban, missional practice is fun to read. His
sensitivity to contextual issues will help any practitioner see how to
pursue mission with the city. I am particularly pleased by his insights
into Canadian missiological issues."" -Glenn Smith Executive Director of
Christian Direction and Senior Associate for Large Cities Lausanne
Committee for World Evangelization "As I devoured Sean Benesh's Views
from the Urban Loft the image of Jesus longing for the city of Jerusalem
was never far from my heart and mind. Sean's hope for the city has a
missional shape inviting people of faith to take a profoundly holistic
second look at the place(s) where they live, work, play and worship.
Views from the Urban Loft invites readers to dream and dares people to
act for the common good of their place as Good News." -Dwight J.
Friesen, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at The Seattle School
of Theology & Psychology, author of Thy Kingdom Connected and co-author
of Routes & Radishes About the Contributor(s): Sean Benesh (DMin, Bakke
Graduate University) lives in the Pacific Northwest and is the author of
Metrospiritual: The Geography of Church Planting (2011). He is involved
in urban ministry in the capacity of adjunct professor, researcher,
consultant, Director of the Epoch Center for Urban Renewal, and church
planting. He blogs regularly on various urban themes and topics at
www.theurbanloft.org.
