The Office for Urban Initiatives advances Fuller Theological Seminary’s commitment to resolving issues facing urban communities through faith-based public and private partnerships. As a result of these partnerships, the Office for Urban Initiatives provides students with the opportunity to strengthen their education through community-based research, practical community service, and spiritual integration.

Community-Based Research

Community-based research pairs students with local partners in order to generate useful information that can be used collectively to effect change at local, regional, national, and international levels.

Community-based research opportunities with local partners include:

• Business Associations;
• Coalitions, Commissions, and Committees,
• Community Service Groups;
• Community Service Programs;
• Corporations;
• Educational Institutions;
• Faith-Based Organizations;
• Government Agencies;
• Law Enforcement;
• Local Residents;
• Neighborhood Associations;
• Non-Government Organizations;
• Non-Profit Agencies;
• Private Foundations;
• Research Institutions;
• Social Service Programs.

Practical Community Service

Practical community service pairs students with local partners in order to further change at local, regional, national, and international levels by providing students with hands-on opportunities to implement the changes identified by community-based research and supported by local partners.

Practical community service opportunities with local partners include:

• Business Associations;
• Coalitions, Commissions, and Committees,
• Community Service Groups;
• Community Service Programs;
• Corporations;
• Faith-Based Organizations;
• Government Agencies;
• Local Residents;
• Neighborhood Associations;
• Non-Government Organizations;
• Non-Profit Agencies;
• Social Service Programs.

Spiritual Integration

Spiritual integration opportunities are provided by the Office for Urban Initiatives through workshops, seminars, and one-on-one and group spiritual direction that encourage students to use a wide-range of ancient and contemporary spiritual practices that help them integrate their community research and service experiences into their spiritual lives.

Ancient and contemporary spiritual practices include:

• Centering Prayer
• Covenant and Community
• Daily Prayer Offices
• Dark Night of the Soul
• Examination of Consciousness
• Incarnational Solidarity
• Lectio Divina
• Night Watch (Vigils)
• Wounded Healer