Building Up the Body of Christ: Being a District Superintendent in the City (pdf)
This sixteen-page booklet is designed to help district superintendents who serve in districts that include high-potential metro churches. It provides suggestions for ways superintendents can support and challenge the churches in their district. It will help the district superintendent think about questions to ask, people to seek out, resources to explore, issues to consider, and actions to take. Pastors who serve in high-potential metro areas may want to give this booklet to their district superintendent as a way to initiate a conversation about the needs and concerns of city congregations.(The report is in a pdf format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader [a free download] to open it.)

Good News for the Poor? The United Methodist Church and Ministry With the Poor (pdf)
This article critiques the current United Methodist Church through a biblical and Wesleyan lens. It offers suggestions for a radical return to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Written by Steven W. Manskar, Director of Accountable Discipleship at The General Board of Discipleship. (The report is in a pdf format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader [a free download] to open it.)

Report From Consultation with Leaders of High-Potential Metro Churches (pdf)
In April of 2003 approximately forty people met to discuss issues facing communities, congregations, and leaders in metropolitan areas. This report summarizes the findings of the consultation. (The report is in a pdf format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader [a free download] to open it.)

Cities/Burbs: The Distinctions Are Blurring
Central cities and the suburbs that surround them have long maintained clear dissimilarities. These are changing as suburbs are taking on many of the traditional characteristics of cities, and cities themselves are evolving.

Rebuilding Communities Initiative (pdf)
This 25-page document is an overview of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's initiative to rebuild communities. It includes a model for community change, and learnings from implementing the model in five communities. (The report is in pdf format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader [a free download] to open it.)

The City of the 21st Century and the Role of the Church (pdf)
This paper provides a historical summary of the role of the church in U.S. cities and a look at where current trends may lead. This paper was written by Dan R. Dick, Director of Congregational Planning and Leader Development, at the General Board of Discipleship, to promote conversation about the role that the church will play in the cities of the 21st century, and raises questions that may leave readers uncomfortable. (The report is in pdf format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader [a free download] to open it.)

Market and Mission: Competing Visions for Transforming Ministry (pdf)
Transcript of the Hickman Lecture given by Bishop Ken Carder, October 16, 2001, at Duke Divinity School. In this lecture Bishop Carder looks at how the values of consumerism are shaping the church today. He proposes that the gospel of Jesus Christ compels us to look to a different vision. Bishop Carder states, "Going where Jesus is and where Jesus goes means less construction of opulent, capital-intensive buildings in the suburbs and returning laity to now empty inner-city churches surrounded by marginalized and vulnerable people with whom Jesus so closely identifies that what is done to them is done to him. Let us restore the connection in our connectional ecclesiology and replace clergy competition based on consumerism with covenant based on Christ's call and mission." (The lecture is in pdf format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader [a free download] to open it.)

Initial Findings of the Project on Religion and Urban Culture
A short article describing the initial findings of the Project on Religion and Urban Culture, an effort to understand religion's role in shaping the culture of Indianapolis.

Hispanic Churches in American Public Life: Summary of Findings (pdf)
Summary of the findings of the Hispanic Churches in American Life research project by the Center for the Study of Latino Religion at Notre Dame University. The summary is available in both English and Spanish. (The report is in a pdf format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader [a free download] to open it.)

Our Shared Dream: The Beloved Community (pdf)
In November of 2003 the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church issued this statement. In it they challenge the church to embrace a "vision of the Beloved Community." The Bishops say, "We are convinced that it is God's intention that societies be organized in such ways that the resources of everyone are understood as gifts from God for the building up of the entire community." It offers challenge and hope for those involved in city ministry. (The document is in a pdf format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader [a free download] to open it.)