The graphic above was used as the splash page for City Church's website preceding our launch in 2010. Our vision remains the same almost six years later.
Local social media has been buzzing this week due to the announcement that ABC will air a TV drama called "Murder Town," which will be set here in Wilmington. The announcement follows last year's Newsweek article, "Murder Town USA (aka Wilmington, Delaware)." Not good press for our city to say the least. It's been apparent for quite some time that "Wilmington, our broken city, must be saved." I remember seeing a play at the Delaware Theater Company a few years ago called, 10 Months: The Wilmington Voices Project. These lines stuck with me:
"Everybody's got plans. A plan for this neighborhood. A plan for that one. Problem is, we got a broken heart. That's right. We're a city with a broken heart. And we just can't get over it. We just can't get past it."
The "narrative of brokenness" in Wilmington is undeniable and pervasive. It's visible on the streets and highlighted by local news outlets. The pain of so many people here in our city is not the stuff of TV shows and movies—it's the stuff of everyday life.
There's obviously a great deal that could be said about the problems that plague our city and what should be done to address them. That's not my interest in this post. I simply want to say this: while the "narrative of brokenness" is real, it's not the only narrative unfolding in our city. The "narrative of redemption" is just as real despite the fact that it's often overshadowed. We're naive if we deny the brokenness, but we're cynical if we overlook the redemption. Since it's easier for me to dwell on what's negative, I want to highlight some of what's positive.
There are lots of wonderful people in this city who are working hard to improve it. I've had the privilege of partnering with some of them. Over the past year I've participated in several peace rallies and marches with folks whose love for Wilmington has inspired me. Just two weeks ago I attended the annual banquet for UrbanPromise along with 700 other people. We heard incredible stories of how God is at work and how lives are being transformed. There are other organizations, churches, and ministries that are serving and investing in our city. I live in the Cool Spring/Tilton Neighborhood. Those who know me know I love my neighborhood—the old homes, the festivals, the farmers market, and the community garden. Most of all, I love my diverse neighbors. I’m not blind to the problems, however. Like most urban neighborhoods, drugs, crime, and poverty are issues. I’m hopeful though. There are countless neighbors and organizations unified in their efforts to make this place that we call home a better one.
As the pastor of City Church, I'm most familiar with how the "narrative of redemption" is unfolding in our midst. So let me encourage you with what I see from my perspective:
- Thirteen individuals or families (that I am aware of) from our congregation have purchased homes in the City of Wilmington since City Church started. Several more have made the choice to rent homes or apartments here. Others lived here before the church began.
- Four City Church community groups have formed in the city (Cool Spring, Tilton Park, Trinity Vicinity, and North Side). These groups are devoted to seeking the good of their communities.
- We started offering English as a Second Language classes this year to serve our neighbors who are learning to navigate life in a culture that is unfamiliar to them.
- We launched The 3rd Place this summer as a community gathering space. Neighbors are using the space. Our first three art exhibits attracted over 50 people to each. Later this month we will host our first house concert.
- There are City Church members who travel to Sunday worship from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. While they don't live in the city, they recognize Wilmington's importance to the region. Some of them sought to avoid Wilmington before they connected to City Church. Now they are involved in serving the city.
- The generosity of people at City Church has allowed us to host festivals for our neighborhood, to walk alongside those caught in addiction, and to demonstrate the mercy of God in tangible ways to neighbors.
That's enough of the narrative for now to encourage you. Yes, our city is broken. But God is at work to redeem it, and he's using us. What does the label "Murder Town" change for us as a congregation in Wilmington? Absolutely nothing. We're to remain faithful in loving God and seeking the welfare of the people and places around us. Throughout church history authentic followers of Jesus have always moved toward brokenness, not away from it. At the heart of the Biblical Story, after all, is the announcement that Jesus left the comfort of heaven in order to enter our world and redeem what's broken. We're called to follow in our Savior's footsteps. He's gone before us. He's with us now.
Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. — Jeremiah 29:7
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Jason