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The Rev. Dr. Mark Koschmann is an assistant professor and chair of the Department of Theology and Ministry at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He's also the Fiechtner Chair in Christian Out- reach, teaching undergraduate and graduate students on the relation- ship between the Christian faith and culture, Lutheran theology, urban outreach, and world religions. Previously, Koschmann served as an associate pastor at Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri. In the aftermath of the crisis in Fergu- son, Missouri, when Michael Brown was shot and killed by a police officer, Koschmann and members of his congregation worked with community leaders, protes- tors, police, and fellow Christians to bring hope and healing to a bitterly divided city. Q: What is unique about "urban outreach"? A: I take one of my cues for engaging in urban outreach from writer Walt Wangerin, who offers his theological reflections as a Lutheran pastor serving an African American congregation in Chicago. He emphasizes two main goals of urban ministry: learn the city and earn your right to be heard by the city. These two goals are vital for us as Lutherans today as we consider our inter- action with the many diverse people living in America's cities. We must learn the city. This starts by listening to and understanding the real hurts of people living in the city. We also need to examine the systematic issues that plague our cities, and then we must work alongside and with people in the community to develop solutions to urban challenges. As we go about this essential work of mending the city, we will earn the right to be heard by the city. We cannot assume that people will want to hear what we have to say about Jesus. Instead, we need to form meaningful friendships and build genuine trust with our neighbors. As we show care and concern in our relationships, we lean on the work of the Holy Spirit to use us to share His love and message of salvation. These lessons about listening to people's needs, earn- ing the right to be heard, and forming relationships are not unique to the urban context. They apply in nearly every context of Christian outreach. Q: Key to outreach is knowing your context. What advice would you give to those seeking to learn the context of their city? A: Our desire to reach people should lead us to develop faithful, theologically robust mission strategies rather than to try out any and every marketing gimmick, pay Facebook to boost our post, or develop the perfect "discipleship path" in our congregations. These things may, at times, have their place. But our main focus must always be proclaiming the liberating work of God in Jesus Christ for all people. From a practical standpoint, I have learned the most about the context of the city in the following ways: 1. Walk around the city. Or run, bike, and ride pub- lic transit around the city. To engage with people in the city, we need to start by getting out and into the local neighborhoods across the city. We should take time to enjoy eating at local restaurants, connect- ing with neighbors, and getting to know people. I once had the adults in my Sunday morning Bi- ble class walk outside and simply look around the church. We noticed so much more when we were outside together. There was a nearby hospital, a high school, a bus stop, and neighborhoods sur- rounding the church that we somewhat mindless- ly drove past each Sunday morning when coming to church. Our Bible study learned to embrace our neighbors, but it started with paying attention and seeing the many opportunities right next door to us. 2. Learn the history of the city. Sometimes Chris- tians shy away from reading and discussing politics (especially political opinions that are different from their own). But Christians need to have a sense of the social, cultural, and political landscape of their city. Equally important is the need to learn the his- tory of the city and its local neighborhoods. We should read well-written, factual, and thoughtfully reported perspectives on the city and its people. We Christians don't need to agree with every perspec- tive we read, but we do need to be immersed with the context of the city that we are seeking to serve. Lutheran Life 29

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