For example, Fresno has 500,000 people and about 500 churches–one church for every 1,000 residents. In Chicago the Hancock Building is daytime home to 28,000 people, half of whom also live there.
Bakke asked what would happen to pastors who went to their churches or denominations and suggested buying 28 condominiums in the Hancock Building to start 28 churches–the same ratio as Fresnans enjoy. Laughter from the approximately 350 pastors and lay leaders gathered in the FPU Special Events Center was all the answer needed.
Yet this extreme thinking is what's required to reach the unchurched in the city, according to Bakke, distinguished professor of global urban ministry, chancellor and chairman of the board at Bakke Graduate University in Seattle. The former inner-city pastor in Chicago and Seattle has taught at Trinity College, McCormick Theological Seminary, Northern Baptist and Eastern Baptist theological seminaries.
Bakke also served as senior associate for large cities with the Lousanne Committee for World Evangelism and co-founded the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education. His books include "The Urban Christian" and "A Theology as Big as the City."
Another radical idea: pastors can work with police. Officers know the problems in neighborhoods. "We're peers here–whether its tax money or tithe money, it's all God's money," Bakke said.
Bar owners also do a lot of informal social work, and Bakke was able to start a meeting in one. "You can't pay for the education you get," Bakke said, "if you just ask people the questions."
The point is to get away from programs and connect with people. Traditional church growth aims at increasing attendance one day a week and encourages pastors to create churches in their image.
"If you're going to move into the city, the exact opposite is true. Most people aren't going to look like you," Bakke said.
A church of 100 members may be small, but each member has relationships beyond the church walls. "I'm commissioning 100 apostles. They go into worlds I can't," Bakke said.
These worlds may seem far away, but they are accessible. "The church can do this. I have no doubt," Bakke said.
This is the sixth year FPU has hosted the Central Valley Ministry Forum, which brings the best thinking and practice about ministry to the region. Past guests include Leonard Sweet, Brian McLaren and Alan Roxburgh, Nancy Ortberg, Reggie McNeal and Donald Miller.
Forum sponsors were KDUV-FM, the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Growing Healthy Churches, MB Biblical Seminary, MB Foundation, Mennonite Brethren Mission Services International, ESA Love Inc., Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Fresno Institute for Urban Leadership, West Fresno Ministerial Alliance, Fresno Produce, Pura-Vida, Producer's Dairy, Uncle Harry's Bagels and Wawona Foods.