Changing a City with the Gospel: a Preview of "Center Church"

          Wise words from Tim Keller in his upcoming book, Center Church. Looking forward to picking up a copy. Here's a trailer-style excerpt-of-an-excerpt I found on GospelCoalition.com.

          "When a church or a church network begins to grow rapidly in a city, it is only natural for the people within the ministry to feel that God is making a difference in that place. Often, however, what is really going on is "Christian reconfiguration." When churches grow, they typically do so by drawing believers out of less vital churches. This can be a good thing if the Christians in these growing churches are being better discipled and if their gifts are being effectively deployed. Nevertheless, if this is the key dynamic, then the overall body of Christ in the city is not growing; it is simply reconfiguring. Reaching an entire city, then, takes more than having some effective churches in it, or even having a burst of revival energy and new converts. Changing the city with the gospel takes a movement."

          You can read the rest here, and check out the trailer here.