It should be obvious from the start that the term “Church of Tukwila” is used to refer to the sum of the congregations located in our city.  But why use the term in the first place?  What is its purpose?  After all, it is not a use of the word “Church” that most of the members of our congregations would use or even be aware of.  However, while not a use that has been normal among churchgoers it is a use that has strong biblical moorings, and therefore worthy of its re-discovery.  Let’s briefly examine the “Church of Tukwila” first in a theological context and secondly in some practical applications.

Theologically:  While the choice whether or not to follow Christ is an individual choice (though in some cultures the family/group has great influence), in God’s perspective it has profound social implications.  The scriptures know of no such thing as a theology of one’s faith being private: simply “between God and me.”  While we all know of the tendency among some to be influenced by American individualism and privatize their faith, we also know that the scriptures present a very different picture, one in which our faith in Christ brings us into God’s family.  Concepts such as “the body of Christ” and the many “one another’s” in scripture assume that we will be in a vital relationship with other believers.  This finds its deepest expressions in local congregations and/or small groups.  In the New Testament this level of fellowship is frequently identified in the “house churches” [e.g. Rom. 16:5, Col. 4:15, Philemon 2].  It is this level of fellowship that is most normally used when we refer to a “church.”  The other use that is also biblical and familiar is in reference to the “Church” as referring to all believers collectively [e.g. Matt. 16:18, Eph. 1:22, 3:21, Col. 1:18].  While the use of the term “church” in these ways is valid, many Christians have used the term so exclusively in these two ways that a distinct third use of the term biblically has been almost lost.  Now that third use of the term is being recovered – the biblical “City Church.”¹ 

This use of the word “church” refers to the connection between believers in a common geographical area.  Examples abound in the scriptures [e.g. Acts 8:1, 13:1, 18:22, Rom. 16:1, I Cor. 1:2, 11:18, Phil. 4:15, Col. 4:16].  In addition, all seven letters from the Lord in John’s Revelation were addressed to city-churches.  It appears that the city-church was seen as the most visible representation of the body of Christ in a given area.   So the “Church of Tukwila” is the application of this common use of the word “church” in the scriptures. 

Pragmatically: While the theological understanding of the city-church concept is fairly straightforward, its specific application gets a little fuzzy.  Here are some obvious reasons why:

• Tukwila is not geographically isolated, bounded as it is by Seattle, Renton, SeaTac, and Kent.  We are part of a larger metropolitan complex.  How might the Church of Seattle, the Church of Kent, etc., overlap with the Church of Tukwila?

• While there are many congregations within Tukwila’s boundaries, many, if not the majority, of our respective members live outside of our city.  This might pose a challenge to nurturing a healthy concept of the Church of Tukwila when some find their natural connection to the congregation, not the city. 

• In contradistinction, there are many Christians who work and/or live in Tukwila, but fellowship in congregations in other cities.  How do they fit into the Church of Tukwila?

These realities remind us that the application of biblical city-church principles will of necessity require grace and flexibility.  How the concept is applied in our situation will vary somewhat from what is happening with the Church of Maple Valley and the Church of Redmond (two very good regional examples of where the city-church concept has been embraced by numerous congregations). 

At the same time, the challenges posed by these pragmatic considerations cannot be wielded to deny the need to prayerfully seek how to apply the city-church concept here.  The fact remains that a corporate witness of the Church of Jesus Christ is the most effective way to influence a city for the gospel.²

¹ Addendum A, “A Third Paradigm of Ministry,” by Dennis Fuqua of International Renewal Ministries, for a good explanation of the implications of this re-discovery of the biblical City-Church concept.  

² Addendum B, “A Brief Apologetic for the Church of Spokane” by John Repsold for an excellent theological perspective on the need of the city-church, as well as insightful responses to concerns some may have about the city-church concept.  

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