Tim Keller: How to Get to Know Your City

Last week I asked Tim Keller what he did to “learn” New York City as he was preparing to plant Redeemer, and if he had any advice for a young church planter wanting to learn a new city. Tim shared four things:

Fiction. Tim suggested reading good fiction about your city. For NYC, Tim especially benefited from reading The Bonfire of the Vanities.

History. Tim encouraged studying the history of your city. Tim learned that New York was the only colony not founded by a religious group, that it was the first colony founded solely for the purpose of making money.

Interviews. Tim highlighted the value of pursuing one-on-one conversations with many Christians and non-Christians in your city, asking them what kind of church they think the city needs.

Culture. Tim encouraged reading a variety of newspapers/periodicals/magazines produced by the city so that you come to understand the many different cultural strands of your city.

Photo: I took this shot in Boston.