The City and the Gospel is an extension of Garden City Commons’ work in Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhood and throughout the City of Pittsburgh. As a community rooted in the ways and practices of Jesus we believe that it's essential for Christians to be actively engaging and seeking to influence culture, whether that be in our local communities, places of work, or families. In order to engage and influence culture in a meaningful and faithful manner we need to think in a biblical and Gospel-centered way about cultural topics and issues. In order for us to live faithful, Gospel-centered lives we need thoughtfully engage complex cultural issues that impact, not only ourselves, but our neighbors.

Through the City and the Gospel we want to tackle these pressing cultural topics and issues through a local lens. The topics we'll engage are those impacting our nation, but we're going to approach them through a local lens. We'll do this because we believe we've been called as Christians to embody the Gospel (primarily) here in Pittsburgh.

Throughout the year we'll create environments where we can engage in extended conversations about cultural issues such as race, mental health, mass incarceration, public education, homelessness, immigration and refugee resettlement, sex trafficking, and more.

The City and the Gospel: Discerning God’s Will

We've often been told that the Bible is a "road map for life," but when we come to it for help with decision-making, we often go away frustrated. How do these ancient words address our very present concerns about which job we should take, where we should live, who we should marry, or whether to have another child? If you've ever faced a decision-point and prayed, "Lord, what should I do?" this evening is for you. If you've ever tried "laying out a fleece" or searching the sky for a sign to hear from God on what your next move should be, come and consider a different framework for discernment - one that gives a biblical and actionable answer to the question of God's will for our lives, no matter the decision at hand.

We'll be joined by author and teacher, Jen Wilkin, as she discusses a counter-cultural framework for discernment - one that gives a biblical and actionable answer to the question of God's will for our lives, no matter the decision at hand.

Speaker: Jen Wilkin

The City and the Gospel: Race

Race. It’s how we define people. It’s how we separate people. Race is a construct that has been built over time and supported and entrenched by individual behaviors, as well as public and private systems and structures. Issues related to racism and classism are hotly debated cultural topics. With so much emphasis on reconciliation and shalom in the Bible, Christians should be leading the way in establishing healthy relationships across races and cultures, and yet, Christians often struggle in this area. How do Christians meaningfully engage with the challenges of individual and systemic racism? Can Christians learn, especially in an urban context, to apply the Gospel to racial reconciliation and the redemption of structures that God has initiated for human flourishing?

This lecture focuses specifically on God's design for the church to actively seek the well-being and propserity of every woman and man in Pittsburgh, the reality of race and its impact on minorities living in urban neighborhoods, and specific ways the church can engage and be agents of structural and systemic redemption.

Speakers: Rev. Dr. Johnie Monroe, Mark Williams, Lisa Slayton

The City and the Gospel: Mental Health

We desire wholeness. And yet, many of us don't know how to live a whole or integrated life. We forget that we are physical, emotional, and spiritual beings, and, because we forget, we often experience a disconnect between our internal emotional world and our spiritual lives. In order for us to experience wholeness we need to learn how to integrate every part of who we are. We need to learn that God does not disapprove of our struggles, and He isn't waiting impatiently for us to get our lives under control before He will love us.

What does emotional authenticity look like? Why does it matter? How does it help to integrate our physical and spiritual lives? We each suffer in our own, unique way. What if we were to be honest with God and tell Him that we're sad or angry, or that we feel stuck and alone?

Speaker: Mari Stout