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URBAN TO THE CORE

The world is urban at its core-over half the world’s population live in cities and most of the global poverty resides there too. Urbanization affects all of us, whether we love in cities or not, and this impact will increase in the coming decades.

For fifteen years Urban Expression has been motivating people to get up and move into inter-city neighborhoods to see what they can learn and what difference they can make. This book gets into the heads and hearts of our teams and unpacks the values that have inspired these missionaries to be urban to the core.

Grass-roots honest reflections from some of our one hundred current and former team members and mission partners, capture the essence of what has shaped the thinking and activity of this experimental urban mission agency.

If you are concerned about cities, those on the margins of society, cross-cultural mission or new forms of church, this book will inspire and challenge your core convictions about mission priorities in an urban world.

Written to celebrate Urban Expression’s 15th anniversary as a U.K.-based urban mission agency, this book reflects on the core values or motives of those who are part of the organization. The organization’s values explored in this book are Humility, Creativity, and Relationship.

I was asked to reflect on one of the organization’s core values of Relationship by sharing a story about my experience of journeying with folks who live outdoors.

Published Year: 2014
Publisher: Wipf & Stock
ISBN: 978-1625645111

What Readers Have Said…

“

At the outset learning is usually slow and laborious, but when someone shares their learning and experience in the generous and skillful way in the way Juliet Kilpin does, then the speed of learning can ramp up Urban to the Core changes our perspective, showing how what once could only be dreamed of has become manifest. The honest thinking and holy intent expressed through these pages the wider secular world so often fails to see as being at the heart of Christian discipleship. The message that the Kingdom of God is both here and still to come is not just pious longing; Urban to the Core highlights the reality of this important insight.

Ann MorisyCommunity Theologian
“

Urban to the Core felt like a choral performance to me, with a number of voices singing the values, the prayers, and the stories that are at the heart of Urban Expression. We can be thankful to Juliet Kilpin for bringing this choir together and allowing them to sing with such honesty about their joys and small victories as well as their weaknesses, sorrows and questions. As you read through the twenty-one core values and the seven commitments of this wonderful organisation I trust you’ll feel drawn into their song for the shalom of the city.

Michael FrostMorling College, Sydney
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I've lived and worked in the churches and communities of East London for forty-five years. Concerned about the Gospel in the inner cities, seeing the accelerating changes and now surrounded by scores of new churches in a multi-faith environment. From the experience of Urban Expression, skillfully gathered by Juliet Kilpin, comes something different and fresh. Get this book. Listen to the voices. Get behind the stories. Open your hearts. Use the prayers.

Colin MarchantUrban Missiologist
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With captivating insight, honest vulnerability and profound wisdom Juliet reveals the depth of her own experience of urban living. With typical humility she illuminates the challenges and the beauty of the city and calls us to a greater engagement with both. Urban Expression excels at reflecting and learning alongside action and it is that combination which makes this a 'must read' for anyone engaged in urban mission.

Gary BishopManaging Director, Justlife