Once upon a time, a missionary to India returned to the West and realized that it had changed.  Or, perhaps, he had changed.  Regardless, life would never be the same again for Bishop Lesslie Newbigin.

The late 20th century had introduced modern challenges to faith.  Secularization, urbanization, and even globalization presented new challenges to Christian faith.  Ordinary Christians had little idea how to navigate the new waters of change.  Many fell away from faith, seeing it as antiquated and irrelevant.

Lesslie Newbigin saw an opportunity, though.

Newbigin once said, "If the gospel is to challenge the public life of our society...it will only be by movements that begin with the local congregation in which the reality of the new creation is present, known, and experienced, and from which men and women will go into every sector of public life to claim it for Christ, to unmask the illusions which have remained hidden and to expose all areas of public life to the illumination of the gospel. But that will only happen as and when local congregations renounce an introverted concern for their own life, and recognize that they exist for the sake of those who are not members, as sign, instrument and foretaste of God's redeeming grace for the whole life of society." (from The Gospel in a Pluralist Society)

When Fred Harrell planted City Church SF in 1996, he envisioned ordinary men and women thriving in their vocations, animated by a worldview substantial enough to speak to the big issues of public life, vocation, relationships, and more.  Since then, City Church has been a church for the city, loving the city, envisioning its flourishing.  But, many wonder how this happens.  How do you learn to think, to engage, to thrive where God has placed you?  This is where the Newbigin Fellowship comes in.

For the past two years, nearly 50 men and women in their 20's, 30's, and early 40's have committed to an intensive, 9-month journey in worldview formation, spiritual and emotional growth, and cultural engagement.  Even Duke University's Faith and Leadership blog took note, highlighting a "vibrancy" being experienced among young men and women engaging big issues of faith (read the article here).  Throughout the month of June in "This Week at City Church,", you'll be reading testimonials by Newbigin Fellows about how the program has challenged them, and changed them.  As another successful year of growing and learning ended with a retreat in Lake Tahoe, alumni once again convinced us of the importance of this program with their compelling year-end presentations highlighting areas of growth and maturity.  We hope you'll listen in to their stories, and consider joining us next year.  We promise you that  after doing this program, life as a Christian engaging the city of San Francisco will never be the same.

For more information, attend our June 5 information session, or contact Rachael Butler.  Or read more and apply here.