WHY
NASHVILLE?
The question of location is a very important issue for any new
ministry. Therefore, it is important for us to seek to answer
the question of why we that Nashville is a good location for our
residential study center. The truth is that we do not believe
that Nashville is the only place a ministry such as this could
be effective. We’re sure that there are many cities and
communities around the world where a study center would be very
successful and beneficial. However, there are several specific
reasons that we believe that Nashville is the right location for
our vision.
1) There Are Very Few Places Like This Available In The
South
While there are a few study centers in the southern region of
the United States (such as The Center For Christian Study at the
University of Virginia), most of these centers are; a) not residential,
b) usually directly connected with particular universities, and
therefore not as open to the general public (whether this is intended
or not), c) almost exclusively focused on a Christian audience.
As a result, we believe that there is a great need for a residential
study center in the south.
2) Nashville Is A Funnel For Culture
The city of Nashville itself is an incredible magnet for culture.
The large presence of musicians, artists, medical workers, academics,
students, church workers, and young business people, makes for
a very unique and vibrant mix of cultures. Moreover, this mix
has created an environment of open dialogue and interaction between
a wide variety of worldviews and philosophical ideologies. Therefore,
Nashville is in many ways an ideal environment for a ministry
focused on fostering dialogue between the church and the wider
culture.
3) The Transient Nature Of Nashville’s Population
Creates A Unique Opportunity To Impact A Much Large Portion Of
The Broader Culture.
The transient nature of much of Nashville’s population (where
people come in for a couple of years and then move on), provides
for a wonderful opportunity for a ministry such as a study center
to impact a much wider segment of our culture.
4) Bundle Of Life:
A mentor of ours Jerram Barrs says that when you are deciding
where, and with whom you are going to do ministry, one of the
guiding questions you should always ask yourself is; “who
has the Lord bundled you up in a bundle of life with” (See
- 1 Sam. 25:29)? When we asked ourselves this question, the first
thing that came to our minds was Nashville, TN. The amazing community
of friends that my wife and I enjoy in the city, combined with
the strong relationships that we have with many pastors and churches,
make the city a very attractive option. Moreover, we have a strong
conviction that for any ministry to be successful there needs
to be a great number of people who are willing to pray diligently
for the Lord’s blessing. We have no doubt that this will
be the case for us in the Nashville area. 5) Collaborating Agreement
Of Need And Means: Over the course of the past couple of years
we have sought the counsel and advice of a wide range of friends,
pastors, professors, and mentors concerning this idea. The result
of this inquiry has been an overwhelming sentiment of agreement
in both the need for and the potential means of providing for
a study center in the Nashville area.
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