I’ve been meaning to write a post about this for awhile, but it seems most appropriate to write this following a weekend in which Redeemer Presbyterian Church celebrated its 25th anniversary. As someone who has lived in NYC since 2001 (and first visited Redeemer in 2000), it’s been really cool to get a first-hand look at how Redeemer has impacted our city and world for 13 of those 25 years. Much has been said of Redeemer’s influence over the years, and I thought I’d write my own list of things I’m grateful for from the perspective of a pastor/church planter in NYC.
First, I’m thankful for the ways Redeemer has resourced, blessed, and celebrated other churches in NYC – I sat down with a friend of mine in the Bay Area a few months ago, and he mentioned that the pastors in NYC all seem to know each other, which was odd to him. But more than that, he mentioned that the pastors seem to speak highly of each other. He asked me why this was the case, and I was taken aback by the question because I thought that’s how all cities worked together. He assured me that this isn’t the case in other cities. Much of this unity can be attributed to the tireless and prayerful work of Mac Pier, Concerts of Prayer, and the NYC Leadership Center, and I think that Redeemer embodies this so well.
This general positivity toward other churches has filtered down to all the church plants that Redeemer has had a hand in resourcing, and it’s truly a joy to see church planters/pastors celebrating the work of all churches around the city.
As a church planter I can’t articulate how beneficial this is. Redeemer really does embrace the idea that it takes a movement (and many churches working together) to bless a city, and I’ve been greatly resourced by the folks at Redeemer City to City (Robert Guerrero & Mark Reynolds & their team come to mind most readily) and Redeemer without them asking for anything from me. Love it. Sounds like grace to me.
I’m thankful for the ways Redeemer has resourced, blessed, and celebrated other churches in NYC
Second, I’m thankful for Redeemer’s theological vision for all-encompassing urban renewal – back in 2000 when I stayed in NYC for the entire summer, I was extremely refreshed to witness a church that had a vision for serving the needs of the disadvantaged in the city (Hope for New York), as well as the wealthy upwardly mobile class (Center for Faith and Work – although this center speaks to all classes).
Back in 2000, when people referred to “Urban Ministry”, I’m pretty sure people were referring to the ‘hood. This makes sense because in 2000, cities were just in the beginning stages of becoming attractive areas again, so most of the models of urban ministry had to do with working with the least of these while so many had fled the cities. Fast forward to 2014, and Williamsburg is now Williamsburg.
Redeemer has really introduced a new way of thinking about “urban” ministry as including service to the disadvantaged and service to “Center City” folks (I believe Tim is the one who first used the term “Center City” when referring to the large upwardly mobile urbanites that now largely inhabit spaces like Manhattan).
Third, I’m thankful for Mike Keller – Mike currently leads City Campus Ministry in NYC, and he’s also a PCA Pastor who preaches at Redeemer from time to time. Mike grew up at Redeemer. I first met Mike in 2001 on a car ride to Nyack College. We’ve been friends ever since. Mike truly lives out what’s outlined above. Not only does Mike LOVE this city, but he’s extremely supportive and generous toward other churches and works in the city. He’s someone who thinks deeply about people in every sphere of society, and he has this unpretentious way about him that allows him to connect with people from various diverse backgrounds.
I love the guy, and I love watching the guy do ministry (especially when he has no shame playing basketball on asphalt courts while being good for 25 fouls/game). He married up with Sara, too. It’s really neat to see how much they BOTH love this city and want to see it flourish. It makes sense that Mike and Sara possess so much of Redeemer’s DNA, and they’re first-class people that I’m proud to know.
As a church planter, I would not be where I am without Redeemer. As a church, we would not be where we are without Redeemer. Thanks for the ways you’ve impacted all of us, Redeemer.
Solideogloria.