Syracuse: #19 Unreached City in US

My partner in crime, Steve Evans, posted this on his blog and I think it’s rather important so I stole it. Apparently, he thought it was important enough to steal too. The data is from JD Payne‘s research from 2000. So, yes, it is 10 years old, but the implications are still very relevant for today.

Check out the amount of cities right here in our great state of NY. What is #19? Oh yes, it is Syracuse. Only 3.7% of the Syracuse population considers themselves “evangelical”. Now I know that “evangelical” is a tough word to adhere to in our culture. There are many political connotations, coupled with the general ambiguity of overused terms, that make some people leery of labels in general and “evangelical” in particular. However, he deems it applicable to those who claim to a “born again” experience, thus narrowing those who identify themselves as such.

Overall, it is very intriguing data (taken by a the Association of Religion Data Archives), especially in light of our current endeavor of planting a church in Phoenix. The need for churches is astounding. More churches in our area is not competition; it is the kingdom of God. Every gospel-centered church in our area should be checking into their resources and people to see what they can do. Secondary theological issues need to be pushed aside as we unite for the furthering of the kingdom of God. Thankfully, it is happening as people begin to organize and gather around Jesus’ movement and mission for the sake of others in our region.

U. S. Metro Area	Total Evangelical Percentage	Evangelical Church to Population Ratio
Provo-Orem, Utah	0.6%	1:18,427
Pittsfield, Massachusetts	1.5%	1:9640
Barnstable-Yarmouth, Massachusetts	1.5%	1:8889
Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, Rhode Island	1.7%	1:8230
Springfield, Massachusetts	1.9%	1:9814
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT-PA	2.3%	1:8517
Salt Lake City-Ogden, Utah	2.3%	1:9808
Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, Massachusetts	2.5%	1:7786
New London-Norwich, Connecticut	2.5%	1:6477
Hartford, Connecticut	2.7%	1:7557
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, New York	2.7%	1:5837
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pennsylvania	2.8%	1:6577
Burlington, Vermont	2.9%	1:6630
Dubuque, Iowa	3.1%	1:6857
Glens Falls, New York	3.1%	1:4288
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazelton, Pennsylvania	3.1%	1:4733
Utica-Rome, New York	3.4%	1:4837
Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-NJ-DE	3.6%	1:5704
Syracuse, New York	3.7%	1:5049
Bangor, Maine	3.8%	1:3535
Portland, Maine	3.8%	1:4580
Laredo, Texas	3.9%	1:4598
Reading, Pennsylvania	4%	1:4018
Rochester, New York	4.1%	1:5084
Binghamton, New York	4.4%	1:3504
Reno, Nevada	4.6%	1:4715
Salinas, California	4.7%	1:3686
Lewiston-Auburn, Maine	5%	1:4152
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	5%	1:3978

Ecclesia Network Church Planting Training Pt. 1

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Ecclesia Network’s church planting training with my good friend Steven Evans. It was an amazing week filled with unbelievable training combined with potential and promising friendships. Our group of fellow church planters was intentionally kept small (about 15 of us), which made the overall feel more comfortable and intimate. Over the next few days/weeks I will be posting on our time of learning, praying, and planning. Here is the first part.

Richmond Hill

This is the backside of the retreat center where we slept, ate, conversed, prayed and learned. Upon arriving at our destination, we felt an immediate sense of both escape and of being at a place of peace. The irenic feel of Richmond Hill was something I’ve only felt a few other places: the hillside church in Africa, the High Braes Refuge, and Indian Lake in the Adirondacks to name a few. Even though it was raining the weather wasn’t getting in the way of our initial calm ending our 8.5 hour drive.

Richmond Hill is basically on the top of a big hill facing the city of Richmond. Originally built circa the Civil War, it was built as a monastery for those who would pray for the citizens of Richmond. Apparently, there is the remains of the largest slave market in America nearby contrasted by the seemingly ironic setting of Patrick Henry’s famous, “Give me liberty of give me death.” Ironic because of its contrasting freedom of whites with that of the Africans. Needless to say, the racial reconciliation needed in the area, and still needed for that matter, was of utmost importance. Hence the need for an intentional community praying for the people of Richmond, both now and then.

The grounds are spectacular in both their natural beauty and their spiritual beckoning. G.K. Chesterton says we shouldn’t call nature our Mother. Rather we should call her our Sister since we both have the same Father. With that in mind we can laugh with her humor and revel in her beauty as a fellow creature of God. There were silent alcoves furnished with garden chairs for those seeking God’s Spirit in the wind-swept paths. It was the epitome of what you would want in your backyard if you had the money and effort to have your own retreat out your back door.

The community that lives and manages Richmond Hill was as inspiring as the beauty of the grounds and architecture of yesteryear. Following in the footsteps of their spiritual forebears, the current community is intentional in the purpose. They live there for the benefit of the citizens of Richmond through prayer, services, meals, and other servant-oriented realms. The daily rhythm of prayer at 7am, noon, and 6pm were enriching ways to slow ourselves down and join in communal prayer. I enjoyed the rhythmic patterns that we were allowed to join in with, especially because of the liturgical form each prayer session took. The responsive prayer tells me that they value the common unified voice of the people. We pray as the people of God, together in one voice without losing the individuality of each person. Community does not deny the individual; it enhances it.

Communal prayer was always followed by communal dining. The community prepares, serves, and cleans up for those whom are visiting. In prayer we seek out God for the benefit of others. In food we get to know others around what God has provided for us. And when I say food, I mean unbelievably good food. With such good food, it was hard not to laugh and listen with strangers who were quickly becoming fellow partners in the gospel.

Every aspect of Richmond Hill as a location was unbelievable and helpful in the culmination of the Ecclesia Network’s training. It all came together in the aesthetics of our locale and this was just our first day. The beauty of the people and place of Richmond Hill were the proper antecedents for the days that followed. Below are a few more pictures of the place. I’ll let them speak for themselves. Enjoy. (If you want to see the bigger pics, let me know.)