I stumbled upon this site deathbysuburb.net (for the book) after hitting Bob Carlton’s blog. I got a kick out of the “practices”. Here are a few:

The toxin: “I am in control of my life.” The practice: The prayer of silence.

The toxin: “I want my neighbors life.” The practice: Friendship with the poor.

The toxin: “I need to make a difference with my life.” The practice: Pursuing action, not results.

This site spawned some other thoughts. I’ve been thinking about the possibility of moving to the city lately. I think it is something that has been brewing within me for some time but only recently have I been presented with a possible opportunity to make it happen.

I think I have been growing increasingly uncomfortable with the suburbs. My first thought is that maybe it’s not sustainable. What I mean is that not everyone in the world could live in the suburbs like I do. It is inefficient– it uses up a lot of resources (land and materials) and living in the suburbs typically means you need to drive a lot more than if you lived in a more densely populated urban area. I think this is an increasingly important point with the rising cost of gas and the effect emissions have on the environment.

The suburbs are isolated and safe. Living in the suburbs, I could live my life without ever coming in contact with someone who is poor other than the people that sometimes serve me. I would have to “commute” to develop a relationship with someone who is poor. I would have to leave the safe haven (safe neighborhood, good schools, etc) of my suburb to be with the poor. There is something unsettling and unnatural about that. Could I truly develop authentic relationships with the poor if I’m always retreating back to the quiet safety of the suburbs?

I was challenged by the words of Dr. Robert Lupton this evening on this subject. In a commencement address of Bob’s that a friend gave me, he talks about the Great Command to love our neighbors as ourselves. He comments that

We who follow Christ are members of a Holy Order of Neighbors. You and I are called to become strategic neighbors in our world. We are commissioned to be neighbors to the neighbor less, to bind up the broken, to wrap the cloak of acceptance around those who have been stripped of their pride. And where we are deployed will have everything to do with our effectiveness in fulfilling our mission. What we wake up to each morning will profoundly influence how we see our world.

In the days ahead, you will be making decisions about where you rent your apartment and eventually buy your home. You will feel pressure to locate in place of beauty far removed from the ugliness of poverty. You will be counseled by well-meaning friends to protect yourself and your children from the dangers of the destitute. You will be told that this is just good stewardship, that it is pleasing to God. You will also experience inner desires for the nicer, finer, safer places in life that your privilege will surely afford you. You must, however, be vigilant to detect and resist the subtle sabotage of the enemy who would draw you away from your mission. Self protection has never been a value of the Kingdom. Self-sacrifice and risk taking, on the other hand, these are the traits of the saints who have gone before us.

A Holy Order of Neighbors… Powerful words. To learn more about Bob Lupton, see the FCS Urban Ministries site. I recommend subscribing to their Urban Perspectives publication.

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