Hopeful Realism

in Urban Ministry

Hopeful Realism

in Urban Ministry

Critical Explorations and Constructive Affirmations of Hoping Justice Prayerfully

Barry K. Morris

foreword by Tim Dickau

To that cloud of steadfastly faithful witnesses—also, alas, those who have fumbled and stumbled along the way as even fragmentary partakers of “the Way” with and for urban ministries—you are the salt of the earth: your flavor sustains.

Contents

Foreword by Tim Dickau · vii

Preface and Acknowledgements · vii

Chapter 1—Proposal of Hopeful Realism · vii

On Realism: Finitude, Ignorance and Sin · vii

On Hope: Pressing the Limits · vii

Hope and Realism Combined: Leaven of a Just Realm beyond Our Eager but Meager Strivings · vii

Hopeful Realism for Urban Ministry: Animating Contrast Awareness · vii

Framing Urban Ministry via a Triad: Grounded, Hopeful Realism · vii

Discerning Key Elements in Urban Ministries · vii

Chapter 2—Urban Ministry and Theology’s Enduring Themes · vii

Survey of the Field and Actors · vii

Anthologies, Urban Training and Action Research · vii

Smouldering Embers · vii

Critical and New Faithful Responses · vii

Summary Conclusion · vii

Chapter 3—Urban Ministry Dynamics and Triad Intimations · vii

In the Midst of Despair, Hope Intimated · vii

In the Midst of ‘Endless’ Charity, Justice Intimated · vii

In the Midst of ‘Heroic’ Weariness, Prayer Intimated · vii

Search for Theological Containers and Anchorages · vii

Venture of Crossovers and Hybrids · vii

Inspiring, Sustaining and Renewing Themes · vii

Triad, Critical Responses and Hopeful Realism · vii

Summary · vii

Chapter 4—Hope via Moltmann and Urban Ministry Intimations · vii

Introduction · vii

Moltmann’s Theology toward Hope · vii

What Brought Moltmann to Hope · vii

Long-Haul Resources via Moltmann’s Theology of Hope · vii

Hoping Justice Prayerfully Intimations and Urban Ministry Implications · vii

Summary · vii

Chapter 5—Justice via Niebuhr and Urban Ministry Intimations · viii

Introduction · viii

Niebuhr’s Understanding and Implications of Justice · viii

Love Is Not Enough: What Brought Niebuhr to Justice · viii

Long Haul Resources for What Kept Niebuhr Committed to Justice · viii

Praying Justice Hopefully, Intimations, and Urban Ministry Implications · viii

Summary · viii

Chapter 6—Prayer via Merton and Urban Ministry Intimations · viii

Merton’s Theology of Prayer · viii

Long Haul Resources for Merton’s Theology of Prayer · viii

Just Prayer Hopefully, Triad Intimations and Urban Ministry Implications · viii

A Summary Triad: Grounding Reflection · viii

Chapter 7—Longhouse Ministry and Networking · viii

Introduction · viii

Indispensable Networks · viii

On Cases: Intrinsic and Instrumental · viii

Enduring Responses and the Help of Response Ethics’ Criteria · viii

Longhouse Ministry Nourishment · viii

The Triad, Realism, and the Longhouse · viii

Longhouse Ministry and Network Comparisons · viii

Triad’s Conjunctive in the Service of Hopeful Realism · viii

If Only Justice Is Present · viii...