This isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned our upcoming church plant in Bronzeville on this blog, and it certainly won’t be the last. Over the past months we’ve spent time articulating our vision and gathering a team of people who share a desire to see a new church in Bronzeville.
This Sunday evening will be our first (of three) Launch Team Training. We’re going to spend some time learning about why Bronzeville is a strategic location for an intentionally multi-ethnic church, brainstorming ways we can participate in what God has been doing in the neighborhood, and praying for wisdom, humility, and courage as we move forward.
What to join us? We’ll meet at the Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park at 6:00. You can find more information and RSVP here.
So why plant a church in Bronzeville? You’ll need to come on Sunday evening for a good answer, but here’s something interesting. Earlier this week, along with two colleagues from New Community, I got to meet with a long-time pastor on Chicago’s South Side. His response after he heard about our vision for a Gospel-centered, intentionally diverse church was very positive. Not only did he note the rarity of new churches in this area of the city over the past 40 to 50 years, he also affirmed the need for churches that are carefully crossing Chicago’s old lines of division and separation.
His perspective was encouraging to me, especially as there are bound to be difficult moments ahead. It’s going to be an adventurous few months.
David W. Swanson 
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