In 1900 less then 5% of the worlds population lived in cities. By 2010 50% of the world’s population live in cities. By 2010 by there were 25 cities with each having more then 10 million population. By 2050 25 cities will have grown to over 16 million each. By 2030 we will have moved from a world of 200 cities to a world of 400 cities with over 1 million population which will grow to over 1450 such cities.
Cities are valued by God. The word cities is mentioned 1250 times in the Bible. Cities are strategic to God in working out his plans.
The early Christian movement was primarily urban. All ambitious missionary movement are or soon become urban Any study of how Christians converted an empire by targeting major trade centers found in key cities.
Cities are the main purveyors of cultures, values and belief. They are the center of education, arts, music, literature, film, television and other media. Cities tend to stimulate the gifts, talents capacities and deep potential of human hearts and minds.
Every city is and always has been a magnet for young people to move from rural areas. The climate is found in cities for constant change and innovation. 45% of all people 18 to 34 years of age would like to live in a city, while only 14% over 34 years old want to live in a city. While only 8$ of people over 65 are drawn to the city. Cities are also places where schools and universities are therefore they are filled with students.
The cultural elite also live there. People who have a disproportionate influence on life live in cities because this is where business, publishing media academics and government are located.
Unreached people groups are gathered in cities in North America. Every large city is a portal for reaching the world for Christ because the USA is a land of immigrants and immigrants are still coming to the USA in large numbers.
Cities creates a seedbed for creative thinking, providing access to new ideas and new ways of dealing with problems and challenges. Healthy cities have resources. More people can have a sustainable existence in a city, at a cheaper cost then in rural areas.
The city is has many poor who come with expectations of people doing things for them to help them.. We are called to love the poor therefore since cities are where they are congregated together the cities become a important place to minister to the poor.
The city is where all the action is. It is the place to have impact. Impact flows from cities to other cities and towns, but impact does not generally from small towns or rural areas. The city connects people who are different then you so you must think differently. City living changes who people are and how they see themselves. People are attracted to cities because cities are a magnet for talent and ambition. If you transform a city you transform the province/state.
Stan
