Renewing the City: Reflections on Community Development and Urban Renewal

by Robert D. Lupton, Ray Bakke (Foreword)

When an expatriate bureaucrat toured a devastated city, he saw more than ashes and ruins. He envisioned a thriving metropolis where God's people could find safety and community. Likewise, when we consider today's urban challenges, we can be daunted by corruption and despair, or we can see opportunities for rejuvenation, restoration and rebirth. Community developer and urban activist Robert D. Lupton looks to the Old Testament example of Nehemiah as a role model for community transformation and renewal. Lupton sees the book of Nehemiah as the memoirs of an urban developer who transformed a decaying city into a place of security and vitality. Placing Nehemiah's story in juxtaposition with contemporary realities offers encouragement and concrete models for how our own metropolitan environments can be revitalized. Nehemiah's example--and Lupton's--offer guidance and hope for all who would seek the welfare of their cities.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

Bob Lupton is the founder and president of FCS Urban Ministries, a non-profit organization serving inner-city Atlanta, and is on the board of the Christian Community Development Association. He is a Vietnam veteran, has a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Georgia, and consults and lectures internationally on urban issues.

Reviews

[Rachel B · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars

A full two-thirds of this book is a fictional retelling of the Book of Nehemiah, with plenty of embellishment. I don't like it when anyone adds to the biblical narrative in this way.

The other third is a combination of Lupton's thoughts on community development and anecdotes from his own work. He appeared wishy-washy on a few important theological issues and a bit arrogant, and didn't have much to say that is of actual use, in my opinion.

There are better (and more updated) books on this topic available.

[Katie Sargent · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Renewing the City, Robert Lupton tells the story of Ezra and Nehemiah. Ezra the stalwart and inspiring spiritual leader of the Israelites, and Nehemiah the pragmatic and efficient governor and organizer of the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Lupton writes engagingly and in the last half of the book includes vignettes from his own experience in working for the shalom of the city using the stories found in Nehemiah as a model for effective leadership in community.


I enjoyed this book mostly for Lupton’s long study resulting in an attention to detail in Ezra and Nehemiah’s story. Reading it challenged me to be carefully mindful of stories, and the people in those stories in Scripture. I want to take the time to do the hard study and imagine myself there, to understand the intricacies of their lives and lessons.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book, written with humor and an strength that comes from years of living what is talked about. If you judge this book by its horrific cover you will be sorely mistaken, because the cover is so classically poor Christian marketing but the contents is mind-blowing. The first half covers the book of Nehemiah, rewritten to read like an historical fiction that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I can't even believe I'm saying this, but it's true. The second half correlates Nehemiah with modern city renewal and its challenges. The whole book is so well written with honesty and intrigue that the reader feels connected to the author.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't be fooled by IVP's lame cover. Lupton's midrash version of Nehemiah's story is scholarly, provocative and fascinating. His stories of modern-day urban renewal efforts offer many more questions and conflicts than they do answers. Which makes the book unsettling, uncomfortable, unsatisfying. But the ambiguities he writes about ring SO TRUE to what we've experienced in our own little corner of urban America. Bob feels like one of our wisest, most honest companions on this journey.

[Sreju · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jury is still out for me.