EP#53 Building God’s kingdom in the city - with Tim Dickau - Leaving Egypt Podcast

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In this episode, Al Roxburgh and Jenny Sinclair talk with Tim Dickau aboutthe ways he has lived out his work as a Christian leader in the city. Tim is one of those thoroughly urbanized people whose roots are in rural Alberta, Canada. Shaped by the rhythms of farming and the practice of hospitality, Tim’s unique blend of prairie populism shows up in his theology of place. Rather than starting with a plan or a project, he begins by asking, “What could grow here?” Deeply attentive to how God is already at work in people’s lives, he tills the ground in faith, trusting that something will emerge. His journey wasn’t straightforward. After leading a large church for many years, a season of burnout revealed for him a new way of being a leader. Sharing life across socio-economic divides reshaped his understanding of justice. This brought forth acts of resistance—addressing food insecurity and homelessness—and expressions of hope, such as repurposing church buildings for affordable housing. In the midst of all this, Tim is that detective of divinity, listening to what it is the Spirit wants to weave in the city, creating spaces where others can join with God in the restoration of the whole of life.

Tim Dickau is the Director of City Gate Vancouver, a charity that works with churches and social organizations across the city addressing social problems like displacement of refugees, food insecurity, poverty, and in particular affordable housing and the use of church buildings. He’s also a trainer in the Certificate in Missional Leadership, a one-year congregational cohort based program, at St Andrew’s Hall, the Presbyterian Church college at the University of British Columbia. For more than twenty years, Tim was the pastorof Grandview Calvary Baptist Church in the downtown east side of Vancouver. He lives in community as part of an extended family. 

For Tim Dickau

https://citygatevancouver.org/our-work/

https://www.standrews.edu/cml/certificate-in-missional-leadership/

https://williamtemplefoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/The-Promise-of-New-Monasticism-in-a-Secular-Age-Tim-Dickau.pdf

https://reimagineclc.ca/

Books

Forming Christian Communities in a Secular Age: Recovering Humility and Hope - A Guide to Success in Adult Faith Today 

Plunging into the Kingdom Way: Practicing the Shared Strokes of Community, Hospitality, Justice, and Confession

Also referred to in this episode:

Patrick CondonBroken City: Land Speculation, Inequality, and Urban Crisis

Mark ElsdonGone for Good?: Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition

For Alan J Roxburgh: