Magazine
Sojourners Magazine: July 2017
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“Seek the welfare of the city.” In recent years, Jeremiah 29:7 has been the mantra of urban church planters. Yet, as D.L. Mayfield points out in our cover story, these mostly white, missional-minded Christians rarely talk about how their church plants are contributing to the neighborhood's gentrification. “I can love my neighbors with my entire heart and soul, but what does that mean when every month more are driven away by increasing rents?” writes Mayfield. “How is our gospel good news for anyone but the gentrifiers themselves?” Her article is a challenge to Christians making new church homes in urban areas. As we know well, trying to walk humbly and do justice in the city is a long, often-difficult journey.
Cover Story
Are we seeking the "welfare of the city," or just our own?
Feature
The world hurts everywhere, including in our social media feeds.
Despite challenges, faith-based groups continue the work of refugee resettlement in the U.S.
The blockade of Gaza has created a humanitarian crisis, and hopelessness. But the outside world has the power to offer a lifeline.
Commentary
Grief is a part of peacemaking.
Diplomatic options with North Korea are limited—but the alternatives are unthinkable.
A Mennonite church joins the santuary movement—again—in the face of Trump's actions against immigrants.
Culture Watch
'Come From Away,' written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein; directed by Christopher Ashley.
She survived an attack with acid. Her revenge? Working against gender violence.
Nearly sixty years before Ferguson, a mother took a sacred stand against white terrorism.
Churchill and Orwell: The Fight for Freedom, by Thomas E. Ricks. Penguin Press.
Jessi Colter and Lenny Kaye make a Spirit-driven musical odd couple.
Departments
Mayfield’s article is a challenge to Christians making new church homes in urban areas.
Columns
The 'cohesive sentiment' of civil religion cannot create cooperation in a diverse nation.
Under Trump, the dangers to civil liberty and fair elections should not be underestimated.
It is not a far step from the tyranny of money to the tyranny of despots.