What is faithful capital ?

An idea from the

Commission on Urban Life and Faith

What does faith do?

Enlarge the imagination Teach and encourage the practice of holiness

and wisdom Open us to the new Deepen our sympathies

Faithful Cities p.84

Social capital

‘…relationships matter…’

Bonding Bridging Linking

Developing connections and trust

Social capital faithful capital

What do people of faith add to their communities?

• Worship and prayer• A commitment to and celebration of life• Hope• An experience of community• A spiritual dimension• A commitment to individual and collective transformation• Values• Transferable skills

Moral sense

Distinct altruistic values Respect Source of transformation Acquired and nurtured in community

Faithful Cities p. 81/2

faithfulness matters

Not only are faith communities in cities physically present, they are actively, dutifully and often passionately engaged in caring for those who need care most. (4)

…’close to the ground’ commitment is a major dividend of faithful capital providing perspectives and opportunities that are not easily available to agencies that ‘look in’ from the outside. (80)

Some theology…

‘[The Church’s] fundamental beliefs are about ..commitment –God’s commitment to a people, Christ’s commitment to a weak and failing body of human followers, the commitment embodied (literally) in the incarnation and resurrection. The question the Church always has to ask of any society, and any project within society, is about how it reflects the kind of enduring commitment to individuals and groups that builds them up and changes them and makes them what they can be.’

From the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Introduction to the report.

A missional challenge

…the deeper issues around regeneration and development that are raised in this report are to do with how our corporate life shows something of what God is like and thus something of what humanity, made in the God’s image, might be.

From the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Introduction to the report.

How is faithful capital found?

Presence and practice of communities of faith A commitment to place Analysis of resources and needs Use of buildings Contribution to civic life Wider vision and global connections Prophetic action

Faithful capital in the good city

What is the difference made by faith communities to your town or city?

In what ways are people in your faith group already involved, as professionals or volunteers, in enhancing the life of your community?

How can you join with others to audit and celebrate the contribution of faith?

More?

Visit the Faithful Cities website

www.culf.org.uk