Mission in the Heart of the City

February 26, 2022
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
📝 Word Count: 936

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Have you ever wondered how a church might fit into the hustle and heart of a big city? How does a place meant for worship respond to the pressing needs, voices, and values of its urban neighbors? In Pittsburgh’s south side, Tree of Life Church has spent over a decade embracing its role not just as a sanctuary, but as a community hub that bridges the gap between faith and modern urban culture. And the journey has been transformative—for the city and for the church itself.


Why Urban Churches Face Unique Challenges

Urban areas like Pittsburgh are often a cultural melting pot with strong progressive values, from environmental activism to LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, and beyond. Unlike many suburban or rural churches, churches in cities engage with people whose values, political views, and beliefs might differ greatly from traditional Christianity. But this doesn’t have to mean conflict; it’s an opportunity for deep and meaningful connection.

Tree of Life, a church I started 18 years ago, sits right at the intersection of these cultures and values. Moving into a larger, historic building in 2016, we found ourselves face-to-face with significant community needs—poverty, food insecurity, substance use, and more. With a city known for its economic and cultural resilience (think “Steel City”), the mission of our church evolved to meet these community needs with open hands and open hearts.

From Ideals to Actions: Meeting Real Needs

When we first opened Tree of Life, we simply wanted to bring people closer to Jesus. But as we engaged with our neighbors, we saw an overwhelming need for resources and support that went beyond religious programming. We became part of Pittsburgh’s fabric, offering food assistance, recovery programs, and community resources to help those struggling with addiction, poverty, and social isolation.

For example, the opioid crisis has hit Pittsburgh hard, and we responded by offering harm reduction support like free naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. In doing so, we’re working with a different kind of “resurrection,” bringing people back from the brink and giving them another chance at life. It’s mission work, just not in the way many traditionally imagine it.


Navigating Cultural Tensions: Faith and Society in Dialogue

Our church has seen its share of challenges and disagreements as we’ve taken on these nontraditional roles. Many of our supporters come from the city, but more conservative suburban Christians sometimes struggle with our involvement in issues like LGBTQ+ rights or gender equality. This has required us to hold difficult conversations and seek ways to bridge the cultural divide, creating a space where faith and progressive values can coexist.

We also navigate sensitive social issues like women’s reproductive rights. While the church holds to its values, we approach these conversations with compassion, understanding that supporting women in difficult situations may look different than simply choosing a political stance.

Finding Balance: The Models of Cultural Engagement

The journey has been both challenging and eye-opening. To better understand our role, we’ve drawn from a variety of Christian thinkers like H. Richard Niebuhr and Timothy Keller. Each one offers insights on how faith communities can interact with culture, from “transforming” it to “accommodating” it. While some models focus on creating a Christian society, others, like Keller’s “Two Kingdoms” model, advocate for healthy engagement with the world while recognizing the constant tension between faith and society.

A balanced approach allows us to see the good in our surroundings without losing sight of our mission. It’s about meeting people where they are, offering support in meaningful ways, and finding unity even in diversity. We’re reminded that faith isn’t about “power over” but about “serving under”—uplifting others while embodying Christ’s example.


Where We’re Going: Art, Community, and Compassion

As we look to the future, we see new opportunities to engage with our city. From embracing the arts (something Pittsburgh, the birthplace of Andy Warhol, deeply values) to supporting local artisans and creating inclusive spaces, we want Tree of Life to be known as a place of beauty and welcome. Our hope is to revive the church’s historical role as a cultural and artistic center, celebrating God’s creation in ways that connect with our diverse community.

Our mission is also deeply practical. We’re expanding food programs to include urban farming and looking into more sustainable ways to meet the needs of our neighbors. And as we step up to provide resources for those affected by the opioid crisis, we’re creating a legacy of care that shows people the heart of our faith in action.


A Call to Action: How Can We Engage Our Own Communities?

The journey of Tree of Life shows that faith communities have much to offer in a world that sometimes feels divided. What does it look like for your own church or community group to engage with the values and needs around you? Are there ways to connect with people outside your typical circles?

Consider this an invitation to reflect on how we might all find common ground, serve with humility, and embrace the communities we’re part of—even (or especially) when they challenge us to grow.


By sharing our experiences at Tree of Life, we hope to inspire other faith communities to see culture not as something to fear, but as a space where faith, love, and action can make a real difference. In the end, it’s about being a living example of grace, meeting people where they are, and showing them what it truly means to love your neighbor.