City Mile
It is a cold, wet morning. As is customary, our family prepares for worship. Today, however, is a special day. Four years ago on this calendar day, we walked the US Airways terminal in Fort Lauderdale leaving behind our comfort zone. We were stepping towards a vision that God had laid on our hearts. As the captain prepared us for take off that day, Kel and I, eyes wet, looked at each other knowing our lives were changing forever. Our instincts were right that day. Our lives have changed and we will never be the same. God has shown us the world He loves, and it is bigger than we could have ever imagined.
Now, four years later we look back and see the handprint of God in every move. What was uncertain then is our comfort zone today. What then seemed to be distant is now near. What then was only a dream, today is a call. Much has been learned and many adjustments have been made. Our understanding of the urban reality and God’s love for it, has transformed our own lives.
Recently, I shared with a friend that I feel as if God has laid the foundation for our next forty years. Without a doubt our call is to inspire, mobilize and collaborate with followers of Jesus in cities. What began as a heart for the city has transformed into a heart of the city, and with that heart we now see that true change can only begin at the city mile.
As we complete our ministry with the Free Methodist we feel the great sadness one experiences when saying goodbye to a people and place that are loved. Together we not only have a restored piece of historic property, but more importantly, a renewed vision for that church’s future. The people, along with their leader, Edward Paulino, continue to serve the community with the hope of a harvest. In the meantime, their abiding in Jesus grows deeper.
Our participation in the other projects we have shared with you along the way continue in varying degrees. The Church of Hollywood, having been our most intentional start, grows distant at the week-to-week decision-making level, but is still vital to our understanding of a church’s presence in the city. Our anticipation of continued collaboration grows nearer. In every case, the relational involvement with those we partnered with grows deeper as we learn together what it means to be the church in the city. Like pieces to a puzzle, each and every one of the projects we have served in will continue to promote the greater pursuit we started with – health in the Heart of the City. This has been our strategy; to learn as we work, believing that together we will better understand the rhythms of living and ministering in the urban environment.
So what’s next? With our commitments officially ending December 31, 2004 we are taking a month to pray and re evaluate. Our call is to seek the well being of whatever city we live in; to inspire, influence and bring lasting impressions to the heart of that city. This call is not unique to us; many others across our vast land and throughout the world are hearing the voice of God calling them to the urban center. Our strategy, however, continues to take shape. How can we best pursue this call? We have partnered with existing organizations and churches; we have started and continue to help start churches; we collaborate, coach and translate urban realities; and in each of these partnerships we invest finances, skill and heart. Together we have learned to be a presence in a neighborhood by learning the language of our city and theirs.
Will you pray with us? You have been a friend and a partner along the way and we want to thank you for believing in us and with us. As we take our next step towards the heart of the city we are praying over platform, location and mobilization. Specifically these are the most important requests we have for prayer:
Communicating our vision – As we seek to communicate opportunities to the broader church, we will focus on a more concrete perspective of the city – the City Mile. This transition will be a clearer communication as to how every person who follows Jesus can have influence within his own radius of influence. This is challenging because we are speaking of a mission field that is not far off, but one that is next door. The city is far closer than that which is presented by our foreign missionaries.
The challenge has provoked many different reactions. For most people, it is painful to realize that much of the brokenness seen within their culture is the fruit of decisions made by generations of families in which fear and control captured the imaginations. This reality requires an evaluation of their lives followed by some action. The response has not always been favorable.
2005 will be a season of “summarizing” what we understand the need to be as we seek to bring scripture and context together in a form that can be used by all of us who seek the well being of our community.
Finances -- God has proven once again that we live by grace, not by works. While I have made plans to fill that gap for God, I have been reminded that His promise to provide is true. He watches out for us as we keep our eyes on Him. I fully intend to keep my eyes on Him.
Having a personal burden for the business community, I have been open to business being a platform for sustainability. God has closed those doors clearly in my heart and pointed me in a different direction. Still, I can see business as a platform not only for sustainability, but as an opportunity to influence and inspire other Christ followers to see their vocations as more than sustainability but as a space wherein to love Jesus.
So much of what we are seeking to communicate and teach requires a context shift. Where and how we communicate the needs and possibilities in a city seems to be unequal. In a nutshell, the religious and political realms are extremely polarized. Leaders on both ends are seeking to rediscover themselves with growing divides. The economic sector, however, is one that cross-pollinates in both realms and one that most of the people in the pews participate in vocationally. Not only is it a context for life through Jesus’ ways, but also a place where the new world ideas are being harvested.
Seeds sown – In the midst of ideas, passion and vision, seeds are sown. Living in such a transient world, (more so in urban centers) we realize the importance of prayer and connection to history. God is not bound by time and His presence has been real in every second of history. Learning to live in the realm of His time seems to happen best through the portal of prayer. I must admit, I do not pray enough but am learning to pray constantly. It has become a lifeline to our life here in the city.
Would you pray not only for our future but also our past? Your investment into the city through us began on January 9, 2001. Together we have sown seeds in the hearts of men. From a simple smile and a cup of cold water to the development of ministries that remain as a continued presence in the heart of the city, God has not departed and continues to be God in each of those places. We simply sow seeds while trusting Him to do what only He does.
Financial Support – While we have not asked for continued support beyond the initial three-year commitment, many of you have. Thank you. This is a blessing and evidence that God’s planning is better than ours. The transition from being a supported missionary to being a vocation missionary will be 3 to 6 months. We will communicate more details along the way. One of the exciting realities is that beyond the transition all support will then target projects and resources. Our financial investments will stretch, allowing a large amount of personal support to shift to other needs. I pray that you would consider supporting others who seek the well being of the urban areas.
From time to time we will cast a vision for specific projects. For now, our clearinghouse continues to be our home church, FBC of West Hollywood. All support that is received over the coming months will be a blessing in our transition to vocational mission and our initial investment into resources that will communicate and network those who will shape this new season.
Staying in touch – With the evolution of communication and technology, I have decided to experiment with a new way of staying in touch, while at the same time journaling and commenting on life. I have set up several “blogs” that can be accessed on a weekly basis to give updates on life and ministry. You can access the blog at http://www.kennethmccord.com/. From there you will receive updates on the ministry site development as we step into the future. For those of you who do not have a computer, we will still send out a yearly update.
There is much anticipation and more to share along the way. For now we wanted to wish you a happy new year, while also connecting you to our continued work in the Heart of the City. We are excited over the work of God in our city and in our lives. I pray that you also are stepping beyond your comfort zone and experiencing the fullness of Jesus Christ. Your city needs you to be God’s presence on your mile!
One mile at a time!In His Love,
Kenny
posted by Ken McCord @ 5:19 PM
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