A gospel movement in Toronto

Tim Keller’s article A New Kind of Urban Christian got my attention when it was published a couple of years ago. We need more Christians living long-term in cities, the article says, living as a dynamic counterculture, radically committed to the good of the city as a whole, and integrating faith with work. I love the vision of Redeemer Presbyterian, where Keller pastors: “To build a great city for all people through a gospel movement that brings personal conversion, community formation, social justice, and cultural renewal in New York City and, through it, the world.”

Last year, Richard Florida got me thinking about the strategic importance of Toronto. He’s got me thinking about it again with his new book Who’s Your City?

According to Florida, Toronto is part of a mega-region, one of forty in the world. Florida says of Toronto:

Toronto is a significant economic center with superb universities, leading arts, entertainment, design, and culture industries; it also has what is arguably the most diverse population in the world. Like London, but unlike most major U.S. cities, Toronto offers schools that work, low crime, and safe streets. Unlike London, New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, it also remains reasonably affordable, which allows it to retain a wide mix of social and economic classes.

Is it time for a gospel movement in Toronto as well? One in which churches seek the common good, influence culture, and bring personal conversion, community formation, social justice, and cultural renewal? I keep hoping so. There are a couple of good developments that I’m hearing about, but we’re still not at the movement stage – but I keep hoping.