Home Outreach Leaders Articles for Outreach & Missions How Do You Gauge the Spiritual Temp of Your City?

How Do You Gauge the Spiritual Temp of Your City?

The Stranger, an alternative newspaper in Seattle, wrote an article and the writer Cienna Madrid hit the nail on the head on this topic back in June. “You know who basically wrote the book on being Christian?” she wrote. “Jesus Christ. His followers were society’s marginalized populations — the sick, homeless and outcast. In 33 short years, Jesus cleansed countless lepers, healed passels of paralytics, restored the senses of the blind and the deaf-mute, cured headaches and miscellaneous boils, and did other great stuff. Sure, most of his feats can be attributed to his magical Son o’ God status, but that’s not the point.”

New York City pastor, Timothy Keller, has famously said that “tolerance isn’t about not having beliefs. It’s about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree with you.” 

I believe in a Jesus who did and said some radical things, and who treated people with radical love and grace. As a Christian, I am called to love my neighbor, seek his or her good and pray for his or her flourishing, even when we don’t see eye to eye. The more I live and serve in Seattle, the more I understand that Seattle isn’t as disinterested in God as has been written or reported on. It’s just not interested in a God that comes wrapped in hate, condescension and indignity.

So, that’s my city. Where’s your city at? Here are some practical steps you can take to gauge the spiritual temperature of your city:

1. Leave your office. If you spend most of your time behind your desk, you simply won’t get to know the context that you have been sent to. You get to know your context when you spend time with people in your context.

2. Get uncomfortable. You simply need to expose yourself to uncomfortable situations around people that you might not agree with. Spend time in the gay community, connect with the local creatives, visit other religious and spiritual centers and get to know the folks there.

3. Listen. Just listen … and especially for the hurts and pains.

4. Value. Take time to discover what your city values.

5. Pursue stakeholders. Get time with pastors and other city leaders who have lived there a long time and ask a lot of questions.

 6. Read the history. Get some good books on the history of your city.

7. Pray. Ask our Father to give you insights, clarity, discernment and wisdom into the spiritual and felt needs of your city.  

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timgaydos@churchleaders.com'
Tim Gaydos was born and raised in the Greater Seattle area. He is currently planting Seattle Church, and is the Chaplain for the Seattle Sounders FC. He serves on the board of directors of the Belltown Business Association, REST (Real Escape from Sex Trade), Center for Global Urban Leadership and works actively with the Mayor’s office and City Council. Previously, he has helped plant churches in downtown Seattle and Rainier Valley. Tim has been married to his wife, Brittany, for 9 years and they have 3 young daughters who they are raising in the city. He blogs at: belovedliveloved.com. Connect with Tim on Facebook: Facebook.com/timgaydos and on Twitter: @timgaydos.