FORGED IN THE PAST
In 1886, Walter Rauschenbusch became pastor of the Second German Baptist Church of New York City, located in the harsh neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen. The austere conditions in his new home ignited an innovative approach to theology. Walter realized that in order to meet an individual’s spiritual needs it was imperative that the church be just as concerned about meeting that individual’s physical needs.In like manner, he applied the gospel message to challenge a social order which contributed to the oppression of the poor. He emphasized that it is up to the individuals who “have” to insure social justice for those who “have not.” He believed that personal and social redemption go hand in hand. An outspoken opponent of child labor and the general abuse of labor brought on by the Industrial Revolution, he made social concerns a Christian concern.
Many advocates for social justice ministries trace their heritage to the model of Walter Rauschenbusch. At Metro Baptist Church, we feel a special affinity to Rauschenbusch and to the Second German Baptist Church, because we are located in Hell’s Kitchen, just three blocks south of Walter’s former pastorate.
ANCHORED IN THE PRESENT
Since moving to West 40th Street, Metro Baptist Church has actively expanded its outreach ministries to the surrounding community. The need for social and spiritual transformation in Hell’s Kitchen is as prevalent today as it was in Walter Rauschenbusch’s time. The same gospel continues to call us to address these concerns. The establishment of Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries (RMM) comes as Metro’s response.
RMM is incorporated with the State of New York as a secular not-for-profit corporation. It serves as an umbrella for Metro’s community-based ministries and as an avenue for forging partnerships with other religious and secular organizations to meet community needs.
CROSSROADS TO THE FUTURE
Our vision is to extend a call both to other Christians and to secular institutions to enter into partnership with us in: a mission that offers hope, a mission that offers renewal to those who feel that they have been “trapped” by an uncaring system, and a mission that fights the evil which sows despair. Additionally, we hope that RMM will help initiate a renewal of a cooperative vision for mission enterprises in New York City and in urban centers throughout the United States.