Those involved in urban ministry are people who live in, work for and care about the city of man while remaining committed citizens of the City of God. Maintaining this delicate balance in the midst of often indelicate situations carries unique challenges. Politics and economics—power and money—are the twin pillars of society. They are the parameters that maintain and contain the hard-edged places in which we are all called to preach good news to the poor, bind up the broken-hearted, seek release for captives and freedom for prisoners, empower the powerless and seek justice.

Organized bi-annually, the first Urban Forum was held June 2005 in Atlanta with the theme: “Doing Church in the City: Incarnation and Transformation.” Two years later, delegates convened again in Atlanta to explore issues related to “Race and Reconciliation: Melting Pot or Mosaic?” The third gathering was held in January in Cleveland with the focus: “City of God: Economics, Politics and the People of God.” As in past years, Urban Forum 2009 operated as a cross-territory partnership between the THQ corps ministries department and the Northeast Ohio Division, U.S.A. Eastern Territory.

In light of the market meltdown and global financial crisis, the 2009 theme—chosen months earlier—seemed eerily prescient.

The Cleveland forum operated between two venues. The evening plenary sessions were held at the divisional headquarters. Presentations and workshops took place at the Hough Centre, a busy Salvation Army ministry complex celebrating its 40th anniversary in the inner city.

Guest speakers and presenters included Bart Campolo, Juanita Irizarry, Greg Paul, Adam Taylor, Andrew Grinnell, Major Bruce Power, Major Gordon Sparks and Pernell Goodyear. Each offered personal and professional perspectives on the themes of economics and politics. Presentations included: A 21st-Century Reformation: Shaping the First World Church Around the Poor; One Size Fits All: Context is Everything; Doctrine 12: Commitment to and Identification with the Poor as a Fundamental Christian Belief; and New Wineskins: Encouraging Christians Toward Investment Clubs with Socially Responsible Investing.

On Thursday night, the general public was invited to join with Urban Forum delegates. Progeny, a local African-American gospel group, led in high-energy worship. Bart Campolo, a veteran urban minister and activist, preached a hard-hitting, controversial perspective on urban ministry that raised tempers and questions. Campolo spoke again the following morning, with opportunity for interaction and questions. Later in the evening, journalist Bramwell Ryan challenged delegates to effectively and intelligently employ new media paradigms in an urban context.

Preliminary discussions are underway for Urban Forum 2011, tentatively planned to be held in Toronto. The majority of the presentations from Urban Forum 2009 will be posted as articles or podcasts on theRubicon.org.

Presentations from the 2007 Urban Forum have been compiled into a book entitled Race and Reconciliation: Papers from the 2007 Urban Forum. Published by THQ, this book is now available from Supplies and Purchasing.