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Cities Research Goals
Over the last 4 years a number of urban researchers have
networked together in a consortium approach. The following demonstrates
three levels of urban research needed to accurately advance into the least
evangelized cities. To make this happen, a cry has gone out for a global
organization that would be willing to invest time and money into developing
the global research.
At the second level of mobilizing people from one city to
another simple two page profiles are needed. A template and model are
attached. These can be faxed anywhere in the world. How can people be called
to Urumqi if they have never heard its' name? How can they go if no-one
tells them there are open doors?
3 LEVELS OF RESEARCH
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ANALYSIS
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OUTPUTS
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LEVEL 1: GLOBAL STRATEGY
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GLOBAL DATABASE ON Internet
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1. Listing
of all cities over 100,000
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Evaluate %
Evangelical and % Christian
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Listing of
6500 cities now available on the web.
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2. Ranking
of 1000 least evangelized
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Based on
Patrick Johnstones' figures for the countries, verify from within the
city
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1000 Least
Evangelized Cities Listing
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3. Map
cities in 10/40 window
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Graphics on
the internet,
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4. Determine
major peoples in cities, and who is working among them.
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Ron Rowland
of SIL is working on a habitat database that should identify these.
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LEVEL 2. INTER-CITY MOBILIZATION
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ADOPT - A - CITY PROCESS
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1. Discover
who has existing research
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Done
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2.
Identify/appoint in-city researchers
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Needs
coordinator
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3. Develop
prototype profiles
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Attached
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4. Locate a
major organization that will run with the large scale research and
production of profiles and be a central coordinating network.
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?????
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5. Produce
profiles on every one of the 1000 least evangelized cities.
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To be done
by ordinary people - must have a coordinator with resources to manage
it. ANy profiles done can be connected to the global database on the web
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LEVEL 3 IN-CITY RESEARCH
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1. Simple
training materials developed
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Included in
this manual
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2. Encourage
to produce six booklets for less than $1.00 each, 30 pages per booklet
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1. Church Directory
2. Church Growth Study
3. Case Studies from History
4.Churchplanter's stories
5. Analysis of peoples in the city
6. Strategic
plan and vision
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3. In-city
mapping of churches and peoples
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4.
Definition of in-city strategy
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How do you develop a City profile?
Pray. Be creative.
Write journalistically, motivationally, not just statistics and facts. Use
catchy titles. The aim is to get people to pray and go.
Get what you can and use it. Do not spend forever doing
the research. The important thing is to get people praying based on as
accurate data as is currently available.
The following are some suggested categories for you to
develop. You will not find info on half of the suggestions. Use what you
have, Seek to make it people-centered. Put emphasis on the poor of the
city, for Jesus particularly came to reach the poor.
Finding quality photos is very important. At least one of
the city, one of people from the city and also find a simple map of the
country (not too complex).
The Encyclopedia Britannica has a lot of info on most
large cities. A phone call to a missionary or national leader in the city
you are working in may help you identify who has done research on the church
in the city. Information on the church in the city is the most important
information you could include in the city profile. This requires personal
contact with leaders in the city.
When finished send a copy of the profile to AD2000 Cities
Track, Urban Leadership Foundation, P.O. 20-524, Glen Eden, Auckalnd,
New Zealand, so we can keep track of cities completed, and pass on to others
for translation.
If you would like this template on computer disk for ease
of completion, we have it available on AmiPro and Word Perfect 6.0, at the
cost of $10.00 (to cover shipping and our expenses). You can request it from
the address previously mentioned.
Journalistic and Motivational Description of the City and
Culture
Its sense of identity. Why is it proud of itself? What is
it known for? What are the key historical or geographic issues of note? In
this section you could also include a story, real or fictional that reveals
some aspect of life in the city.
Motivational Description of the Spiritual Dynamics of the
City
Simple history, covenants, main religion, some practices,
festivals, sins and bondages, key spirits, saints, idols that are
worshipped.
Are people resistant / responsive to change and the
gospel?
Nature of the Church
No. of Churches? No. of people per church?
Some aspects of spiritual vitality.
No. of training schools (Seminaries, Bible schools etc.).
Development agencies or para-churches.
What kind of unity? prayer movement? What emerging
directions?
Levels of opposition to church and conversion.
Ministry Options and Ways of Entering
Key organizations to contact.
Perceived needs in the society.
Some roles for outsiders.
How to get there?
Initial places to stay.
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