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Center for Church and City Engagement

Harding School of Theology
Harding School of Theology

The Center for Church and City Engagement, based at the Holmes Road Church of Christ in Memphis, equips students and church leaders to engage urban communities for God’s mission. Launched in August 2024 as part of Harding University, the center continues the university’s legacy in Memphis through Harding School of Theology, focusing on preparing students for urban ministry and partnering with metropolitan churches.

The work of the center stretches in two directions.

First, it provides ministry experiences in urban contexts for Harding students by facilitating internships, apprenticeships and other city experiences.
Second, it offers training and resources for church leaders in urban areas including leadership development, ministry training and networking opportunities. Through these efforts, the center also generates research concerning effective ministry in the city.

“Ministry in the City” Listening Tour

Through the help of In Trust Center for Theological Schools, Harding’s Center for Church and City Engagement will be hosting a series of listening sessions with church leaders in urban areas. These sessions are for the purpose of hearing the dreams, visions, and challenges of doing ministry in the city. The data gathered will then be shared with church leaders and used for future programs and resources created by the Center for Church and City Engagement.

The six cities are: 

Memphis, Little Rock, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago

October 15th: Stop #1- Memphis, TN; Hosted by Midtown Church of Christ

November 12th: Stop #2- Little Rock, AR; Hosted by Central Church of Christ

December 3rd: Stop #3- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; Hosted by North Davis Church of Christ

January 21st: Stop #4- Houston, TX; Hosted by Impact Houston Church of Christ

Time will be 11:30-1:30

Sign up or request more information here

 

Pray for Memphis

This prayer initiative is a call to bring church leaders together for encouragement, food, and prayer. We gather in one part of the city, hosted by a local church, to share food together and pray for God’s will to be done in the city of Memphis. The first meeting will be November 21st.

Sign up here.

 

City Internships and Apprenticeships

We will offer apprenticeships and internships in partnership with city churches and other ministries.

We are currently partnering with Christ Community Health Services to provide chaplaincy internships for our students. The internship focuses on pastoral care, multicultural ministry, engaging in intentional spiritual conversations, and grant writing. CCHS serves 60,000 people each year in underserved communities in Memphis, and the internship is made possible by a grant from the Butterfield Memorial Foundation. 

Request more information here

 

Staff

Steve Cloer

Steve Cloer

Director

secloer@harding.edu

 

Raye Otieno

Raye Otieno

Administrative Assistant

rotieno@harding.edu

 

Victor Black

Victor Black

Graduate Assistant

vblack2@harding.edu

The Center for Church and City Engagement will provide:

Training
Experiences
Resources
  • Accessible ministry training through workshops and webinars on missional, theological or ministry topics for church leaders in urban areas.
  • Learning cohort experiences that offer discipleship training and leadership development.
  • Cross-cultural experiences through poverty and urban immersion for undergraduate students.
  • Apprenticeships and internships for students in partnership with city churches and other ministries.
  • Leadership development through coaching and consulting for church leaders in team-building, spiritual giftedness and missional vision.
  • Networking opportunities for ministry leaders who turn their attention toward the city.
  • Research articles and materials that offer theological guidance and vision for ministry in the city.

Contact Information


Center for Church and City Engagement
501-279-4717
ccce@harding.edu

Mailing address:
Center for Church and City Engagement
1187 Holmes Road
Memphis, Tennessee 38116

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At Harding University, you'll have the opportunity to be transformed academically, relationally and spiritually so you're prepared to change the world.

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