It is typical for people in the city to say to those in the suburbs: “it is different in the city.” Living the suburbs, I bought it. I wasn’t really sure why, but it made sense so I thought “yeah, people living in the urban core are ‘different.’” But, to be honest, I really didn’t know exactly “why” or “how” urban-ites were different. Are urban-ites “artsy-er?” Sure. Some are. Are people here “more sophisticated?” Whatever sophisticated means, I would say sure. Some are. Poorer? Yes, there is a lot of physical need in the city. Richer? Yep, that too. Confused yet? Since moving to downtown Phoenix, I have learned that it is a place for the artsy, rich, poor, young, old, brown and white. Diverse is a good word to describe the city, as long as your definition of diverse isn’t limited to the color of someone’s skin…
But, as diverse as this place is, so far as I can tell downtown is held together by a couple over-arching themes and one of the biggest is “community.” Downtown Phoenix is a proud place where local businesses, whether they be attorneys, coffee houses, salons, bars or bistros are knit together with a sense that they are all in “this” together. In suburbs big box stores and strip centers pull the community in countless directions. Downtown we have choices but those choices are almost all between this local small business or that local small business. Living here, strangely enough, reminds me of the town I spent 6th-12th grade in. It was a small Kansas town where just about everyone knew everyone else and sort of watched out for each other. Again, Phoenix has much more to offer than that little town, but the sense of community here is pretty amazing, which makes it even more exciting to be a part of a community of faith in the middle of it all. Churches “preach” community all of the time and in downtown Phoenix, we have a ready made community to be a part of. I pray that day|twelve will be a place that loves and serves Phoenix and that God might use us to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the community that we are growing to love more each day…
I’ve lived in a suburb for about 3 of the nearly 30 years I’ve been alive. And even those years were in very “urban” suburbs.
I think a bit of the philosophy that united those in my urban communities was an us against them mindset. Sad, but true. Philosophically, suburbs were started to clearly distinguish themselves from cities, no? That rejection of city life and a lack of deep commitment with the bit of city life that suburbanites embraced hurt more than I had the ability to acknowledge.
It wasn’t until I realized that many of the things that come with city life that many turn their noses up at exist in the suburbs – in addition, to new challenges/issues. That revelation was my first step into having to embrace rejection (it further identifies us with Christ) and finding my true identity in Christ (I am who God says I am, not who those who reject me say I am).
good insights eugene…i think it is ironic that the city i see and experience in central phoenix has more community and sense of belonging than the seemingly more “friendly” or “safe” suburbs. city neighborhoods, unlike the suburbs, almost forceg you out into the community rather than allowing you to rest in the safety and sanctity of your suburban backyard. i do think suburbanites can and do experience meaningful community in their neighborhoods but i am quickly learning that this downtown area is knit together with a sense of community that rarely exists in the suburban sprawl. as a church planter, i love this about the city.
You know…just walking through your neighborhood the other night really gave me that sense too. I walk through mine on the edge of town, indeed the “suburbs”, and there is no feeling of community at all.
The walk through the neighborhood, sitting on the train station…it all felt more comfortable even though to someone like me, “central” Phoenix has a stigma of being dangerous, trashy and just a bad neighborhood.
It was nothing like that at all…it felt more cozy than anywhere I’ve lived.
good insights eugene…i think it is ironic that the city i see and experience in central phoenix has more community and sense of belonging than the seemingly more “friendly” or “safe” suburbs. city neighborhoods, unlike the suburbs, almost forceg you out into the community rather than allowing you to rest in the safety and sanctity of your suburban backyard. i do think suburbanites can and do experience meaningful community in their neighborhoods but i am quickly learning that this downtown area is knit together with a sense of community that rarely exists in the suburban sprawl. as a church planter, i love this about the city.