Urban Ministry Initiative
A Broader Kingdom Perspective
Covenant Seminary's Urban Ministry Initiative (UMI) seeks to help every seminary student develop a broader Kingdom perspective through an emphasis on Biblical principles -- such as justice, mercy, and reconciliation -- and a consideration of the implications of those principles for the Church as it ministers in the urban centers of our nation and the world. UMI's goal is to prepare God's servants to proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel of the Kingdom in a variety of urban and multi-cultural contexts around the globe.
UMI works in close partnership with both the World Mission department and the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute. Training takes place through courses and special seminars that survey subjects such as church-based community ministry, the Gospel and race, urban and multi-cultural church planting, youth ministry across cultures, poverty from a Biblical perspective, and more. Through networking with local urban churches, Covenant Seminary students have the opportunity to gain valuable ministry experience and fulfill field education requirements.
An Urban Ministry Concentration is available for students pursuing the Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Master of Arts (Theological Studies) (MATS) degrees. For more information, contact the Urban Ministry Initiative office.
See a list of Urban Ministry classes available at Covenant Seminary.
Faculty Leadership in Urban Ministry
Covenant Seminary faculty members bring a variety of urban ministry experiences to bear in their efforts to train students to proclaim the Gospel in urban settings around the world.
Dr. Nelson Jennings, Professor of World Mission, served for 13 years with the Presbyterian Church in America's Mission to the World in Japan, where he was involved with both church-planting and theological education. He currently is president of Presbyterian Mission International, which supports several missionaries who are serving in urban contexts that can provide students with service opportunities. Dr. Jennings and Dr. Philip Douglass (see below) have team-taught courses with an urban ministry focus.
Dr. Philip Douglass, Professor of Practical Theology, served as a pastor for 14 years in the Washington, D.C., area, where he planted three churches. Since coming to St. Louis, Dr. Douglass has started two churches and served for six years as pastor of a local church where he mentored students while continuing to teach full-time at the seminary. Typically, each semester he offers a Church Planting Field Trip for Covenant Seminary students.
Professor Jerram Barrs has been an ongoing catalyst for combating racism. Professor Greg Perry has extensive experience, organizational connections, and ongoing involvements with cross-cultural and urban ministries. Other faculty members have particular urban ministry experiences as well, and the entire faculty shares the burden of encouraging urban ministry concerns among all students.
In addition, frequent guest speakers at Urban Ministry Initiative events and activities provide helpful insights and perspectives on urban ministry issues.
Student Opportunities in Urban Ministry
Each year the Seminary offers ample opportunities for student involvement in urban ministry activities and events, including on-campus student organizations, participation in several annual conferences related to urban ministry, and a variety of other challenging opportunities in St. Louis to engage in and reflect on the practice of urban ministry. More information is available by contacting the Urban Ministry Initiative office.
Partnerships and Collaborations
In cooperation with Covenant Theological Seminary, various St. Louis-area churches and ministry organizations, as well as those in other strategic locations, provide unique service opportunities and exposure to ministry in urban contexts.
Read more about Covenant Seminary's Urban Ministry Partnerships and Collaborations (PDF format).
Contact umi@covenantseminary.edu for more information regarding ways in which you can be involved.
Resources for Urban Ministry
For more information on a variety of urban ministry topics, download our list of useful print and audio Resources for Urban Ministry (PDF format).
For a quick reference, see our Top 10 Recommended Resources on Urban Ministry (PDF format).
Urban Ministry Feature Article: "Diaconal Ministries of Justice and Mercy," by Covenant Seminary graduate Tripp Sanders (MDiv '07), offers a helpful perspective on practicing ministry in an urban context.
Find other urban ministry-related resources by searching our Ministry Resources.
Featured Urban Ministry Resource of the Month
John M. Perkins, Restoring At-Risk Communities: Doing It Together, Doing It Right (Grand Rapids,MI: Baker, 1995).
The dean of urban ministry efforts in the United States, Dr. John Perkins lays out in simple and challenging terms how to be involved in Christian community development.
