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Summary & Intro

Dhati Lewis – Christ-follower, husband, dad of 7 kids, pastor of Blue Print Church of Atlanta, Founder/Leader of the Rebuild Network, missional urban strategist for the NAMB Send Network, author, disciple-maker, sports fan, mentor to 116 Clique and Reach Records artists (Lecrae, Trip Lee, KB, Andy Mineo and more) and all-around great guy.

Recap & Synopsis

In this episode, I interview Dhati Lewis. I love Dhati’s heart and vision for the church and the mission; especially his passion for living the Gospel out in an urban context. Dhati moved from Dention, TX to Atlanta with his family and 40 other people to plant Blueprint Church of Atlanta. He believes deeply that the local church is the visible expression of the Gospel in our culture. Dhati and I plumb the depths of identity crisis of men and the church, diversity and unity, urbanization and gentrification, neighborhood missiology, differences and similarities between rural and urban mission and biblical hospitality. I know you’ll be greatly empowered, equipped and encouraged by Dhati’s unique story and inspiring passion for the church, the mission and the city.

 

*The following are my favorite top quotes from Dhati and I. Use them freely and widely, but please offer credit where credit is due. Thanks.

In this new urban reality, we have to go from an ethnic missiology to a neighborhood missiology.

The answer to gentrification is not relocation, the answer is the Gospel. The power of the Holy Spirit abiding in His people. The church has a tremendous opportunity to be the Gospel in the inner cities.

*(gentrification: arrival of wealthier people in an existing urban district, usually used negatively)

Instead of flight, fight. Fight darkness with light. Fight hopelessness with hope. Fight sin with grace. Fight tension and division with a common goal and unity. (Jonathan)

The overarching thing is when we begin to engage people we’re not comfortable with.

The church is becoming more of this social justice movement. This is huge and needs to be a part. But that is not our identity.

If the Church is the Gospel made visible, then the local church needs to be a tangible demonstration of how people live in a tragic world.

5 Questions to Ask:

* What is the church?

* Why does the church exist in the world? (relationship with God, believers, the world)

* What should the church be known for/identity of the church? (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness)

* How do we protect that identity? (right preaching of the Word, discipleship, membership, community)

* How do we put that on display for the world to see? (love for one another, intentionality, living Gospel)

John Stott said “the most neglected doctrine is the doctrine of the church”. We need to go back to what the Word of God identifies as the bride of Christ, the flock of God,