Alvin Sanders, a church leader, planted a church in a violent neighborhood after a police shooting. He served with the EFCA (Evangelical Free Church of America) and is now President of World Impact. Alvin has authored books on diversity and poverty and believes every church needs an urban ministry. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. Pastors and church leaders, jump into a 40-day discipleship challenge this Fall. In a politically divisive time, the wisest decision you can make is to focus on what brings unity. No one and nothing brings unity like Jesus. Our 40-Day Jesus-Centered Challenges will ensure you not only stay united on what’s most important, but they will grow your small groups like crazy, provide much-needed done-for-you materials, and create greater disciples. Literally, this Fall may be the most strategic time in our nation’s history to get a 40-day challenge going at your church.To get your custom quote with an extra coupon take 2 minutes to fill out the form here: www.redletterchallenge.com/quote.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
World Impact: Transforming Communities Together
Custom Quote for 40-Day Challenge
Key insights from the episode:
If you read the New Testament, you are talking about urban ministry. – Alvin Sanders
Whether you like it or not, the things that come out of the urban space will affect you. – Alvin Sanders
If you want to know what suburban churches will be dealing with ten years from now, look at what urban churches are dealing with now. – Alvin Sanders
There are suburban churches today that still don’t think that gender identity, political divisiveness, poverty, and homelessness are a problem in their community. – Alvin Sanders
You can kinda pretend there is nothing wrong in the suburbs. – Alvin Sanders
There’s a giant search for authenticity. The term ‘micro church’ is cropping up more and more. – Alvin Sanders
The urban church can help the suburban church with its struggle with identity. – Alvin Sanders
If suburban churches try to do evangelism in their neighborhood, it will automatically set them on a journey of diversity. – Alvin Sanders
75% of folks at our church had never been to church before, and it was simply due to relationships. – Alvin Sanders
The lowest hanging fruit in church is responding to cards filled out by guests. – Zach Zehnder
Do you have enough evidence in your life that if you went to court, you’d be convicted of being a Christian? – Pastor Percy Carter
The church is still providing a necessary moral compass for culture. – Alvin Sanders
The community is waiting for the church to take a seat at your table. – Alvin Sanders
There’s no political ideology that can contain Matthew 5-7. – Alvin Sanders
Alvin Sanders’ Challenge: Commit to improving the lives of those living in poverty through your time, treasure, and talents.
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