From Greed to Generosity (Rome) | Jon Carter
Rome was like the nerve centre of the empire - and the vision was to recreate Rome across the empire. Philippi, Ephesus and all the colonies existed to serve Rome. Generosity therefore didn’t flow outwards but control meant that greed flowed inwards. Rather than creating a city of greed, how do we create a city that is for generosity? Has London become the Rome of our day where people see it as a place of greed and an island disconnected from the rest of the nation? How do we generously give away, and send stuff outwards?
From Idolatry to Worship (Athens) | Pete Hughes
This is based on the Athens story of Paul going in and recognising that they’ve got all these gods, and pointing them to the God they don’t know about, the one who is at the centre of it all. Cities are places of worship - how do we make sure we invite people to worship the one true God? How do we dethrone the idols of our age?
From Individualism to Community (Ephesus) | Emma Heddle & Kiran Rai
Focussing on Paul’s vision for family and community in the context of Ephesus, this is an opportunity to push back on the individualism that dominates in our city and means that although surrounded by millions, people increasingly feel isolated and alone. How do we draw people into the Kingdom community in the midst of this?
From Slavery to Freedom (Jerusalem) | Lois Tackie-Oblie & Cath Carter
This reflects the movement out of Egypt into the freedom of Jerusalem, the city of Shalom. How do we make sure what we're building in the city is a place of freedom for all? Not just freedom from the world, but freedom for the world.
From Conflict to Refuge (Hebron) | Joshua Luke Smith
The city of Hebron became a city of refuge (Joshua 20). The vision was that if you were on the run, you'd be guaranteed safety. They're commanded to establish cities of refuge. How do we create cities of refuge? How can London be a place of sanctuary for refugees, the vulnerable and those on the margins of society? How can we create safety within the city, rather than it being dog-eat-dog? How can we build something different?
Awakening the City | From Extraction to Servanthood (Babylon)
For Babylon, the tower of Babel is the origin story, and it’s basically trying to build something without God. A lot of people come to London to climb ladders, to extract what they need from the city, and then head to the suburbs and live a comfortable life. In other words, they’re using the city for their own needs and end goals. But a kingdom engagement with the city is more like “I’m here to serve the city.” It’s asking “God, what are you doing in the city?”. I’m not using the city for my glory – I’m serving the city for the glory of God.