THE CONSISTENCY OF INCONSISTENCY

THE CONSISTENCY OF INCONSISTENCY

As I get back into training mode there is something quite similar between work-outs and Urban ministry. To see a considerable change in appearance I will have to be consistent with my workouts and change my eating habits. I have to admit I'm the worst at consistency with my workouts and that is why my weight fluctuates so much. I could gain weight by walking by a bakery or looking at a hot dog in Manhattan.

The urban ministry is in desperate need to see consistency from the pulpits of its church. I recently read somewhere and I can't remember where but in my denomination it is the average four year stay for pastors. That is a terrible statistic and needs a change to positive consistency. The last thing needed in the urban ministry is more inconsistency. Our people already have seen to much inconsistency in their daily lives. From children not knowing their parent or parents. To parents not knowing if they will have a job tomorrow. Its up to the urban minister to change the consistency of inconsistency in our urban neighborhoods. We must be the place of change in our communities.

Just like eating right and exercise will be difficult this will be the most difficult job for the urban minister. You see there will be few rewards in the beginning almost none. Especially if you have to make tough decisions. There will be small changes but even those need to be celebrated. The bottom line is our people need to see healthy consistency.

I look at successful urban ministries and I notice there is rarely a change at the top and that needs to be applauded and not knocked. Mega urban churches need to be looked up to for their ability to give consistency from the leadership especially from the Pastor.

I know that the prescription to cure the disease and not just put a mask over it would be practicing healthy consistency. The best things in life will cost you your life!

Blue Print

The hottest song on the Urban chart is Empire State of Mind. Jay -Z has for years been one of the most prolific MC's that has grabbed a microphone and is the artist that has elevated the hip-hop culture to new heights. Talking about heights I have to mention the work of Lin-Manuel Miranda who has taken Hip-Hop to a a place its never been to my knowledge. Broadway will never be the same. As a young man growing up in the Bronx I can remember adults telling me that Hip-Hop was a fad and it wouldn't last. I don't have to explain where you can find this culture its everywhere.

The urban Rx will be a blog that chronicles the work of an urban minister and ministers attempting to transform a culture. The urban Rx is a blog that will be a place to educate and elevate those whom have a burden for impacting the communities of urban culture. Urban culture can be found in New York, South Bend, even on the streets of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Urban culture is everywhere and it is a special, unique people group that deserve more from the Church(not the edifice but the individual). Jay-z and Lin-Manuel Miranda are just two whom have had the opportunity to do more with the urban culture. There are millions more that need to have a chance to chase their dreams and make it a reality. I believe the church can and will help!

The Church has a tremendous opportunity that has never been seen before. We have missed many opportunities but I believe that this is the time for those with a passion to rise up and make the difference. The Blue print for the Church to reach the urban culture is not a new one it isn't even difficult to do. There is a need to develop relationships that show we are not merely interested in attendance in our churches but that we are holistically interested in individuals of these communities.

Well I hope that this blog will help those whom have a burden for this beautiful culture as well as those who have been struggling to know if this is where God has been directing them to GO!