Urban Ministry

City churches address a variety of public issues that impact the quality of life for their members and the broader community. The Metro-Urban Institute of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a network of theological educators, leaders, and pastors as well as business and community leaders who focus on six factors of city life as a means of educating new leaders for urban society. These factors are:

Public Education

Through field placements and shared educational resources, the MUI works with churches and other religious groups involved with families and schools to help students enjoy learning and improve their potential for academic success in school.

Restorative Justice

Many churches and other religious groups are involved with families impacted by incarceration, crime, and arrests resulting in legal problems. Through information sharing and learning, the MUI seeks to work with congregations and community organizations to foster community-based restorative justice approaches to assist families and individuals in crisis.

Racial/Ethnic Relations

Building communication and understanding across ethnic and racial lines and overcoming cultural barriers, the MUI seeks to encourage the collective approaches of faith communities to strengthen multicultural cooperation in the urban community in order to enhance the quality of city life for all.

Economic Development

Analyzing churches, other religious organizations, and community economic resources, the MUI works to encourage focused collaboration on addressing economic disparity and building economic sustainability for disenfranchised core-city communities.

Family Life

Addressing urban issues that impact family relationships affecting children, teens, and young adults, single adults, families with young children, and seniors adults, the MUI works with churches, other faith organizations, and social service agencies to help persons in the city enjoy spiritually healthy family relationships.

Public Health

Working with churches, other faith-based groups, community organizations, and health professionals, the MUI seeks to encourage collaborative strategies to reduce health disparities in urban communities among the poor and racial/ethnic minorities through educational resources that promote faithfulness as healthy behaviors, lifestyles, and relationship.