Urban Seed History

In 1987 Collins Street Baptist Church (CSBC) began to ask itself a new question: what does it mean to be church in the unique neighbourhood of the city centre? Guided by the long and careful work of the Rev'd Ron Ham, CSBC began to explore themes of regeneration and urban mission, seeking the ideas of those such as the Rev'd Tim Costello, from an inner-city church in St Kilda. In 1990 CSBC appointed Rev'd Jim Barr to come and further develop their approach to urban mission. In 1993, closely supported by Ron Ham and Peter Chapman from the nearby City Life mission, Jim took the initiative of establishing what was then called the Urban Mission Unit (now Urban Seed).

The initial ideas for the work of Urban Seed began with a professional and academic approach to mission. It was envisaged that Urban Seed would conduct research and training with a focus around Australian culture and urban spirituality. Some of the important work established during this time were the Seeds Program of discipleship formation, City Walks and experiential Mission Exposures.

The residential community at Central House was established in 1995 when three interns moved into the old Collins Street Baptist Church property officers' residence on level 9. Residency would come to play the major part in the development of the practice and ethos of Urban Seed. In the same year, Tim Costello was appointed as the new Director of Urban Seed, which was another critical factor in the evolving character of Urban Seed's work.

The first internship was constructed around the ideas of a 'monastic' rhythm of life: 12 hours in mission, 12 hours studying (Seeds and external tertiary) and 12 hours work doing property duties around the church building for a small salary each week. Inspired by the example of Peter Chapman's 17-year ministry through 'City Life' at the Presbyterian church next door, these first interns spent much of their time walking the streets of Melbourne meeting people. After three months they invited friends they had made to join them in their house for lunch. This formed the basis of the community's open lunch time which has run ever since, and which is now held in 'Credo Cafe'.

Over the coming years interns joined with Tim Costello in helping others to discern the spiritual nature of the city through walks and public speaking. Out of this discernment a prayer vigil of public witness and protest was organised outside the then recently opened Crown Casino. These were the community's early attempts to breathe new life into an old and proud tradition of public engagement of Collins Street Baptist Church.

Between 1995 and 2009 more than 70 people have come to live at Central House, and each year residents have built upon these early initiatives. Since 1995 the residential community, has developed in a myriad of ways, and yet many of the early elements remain the same:

• relational presence in the inner city;
• the discipline of hospitality, sharing meals and living space in the church building;
• 'growing' home with those considered least;
• discernment walks and public speaking;
• public liturgy and protest;
• exploring Christian community;
• balancing work, study and mission;
• common work in and around the building.

In 1999 Urban Seed and the residential community decided to understand and organise itself around four themes that had emerged from its history. These were Spirituality, Mission, Community, and Learning. These four elements formed a 'rule' that directed the life and rhythm of the community. It aimed to create space to help the community to reflect theologically and maintain its focus on the movement toward Christ. Each of these four elements are explored through stories which are important to the community.

In late 2001, the Urban Mission Unit became Urban Seed. The name 'Urban Seed' holds the organic work of building community in tension with the concrete context of urban life. It stems from the conviction that the things that really give life in this world must be grown. The work of making meaningful connections between people, restoring relationships of love and justice, caring for the earth, and discovering spiritual life, all require nurture. None of these things can be imposed or artificially generated.

The image of seeds is a descriptive tool which Jesus of Nazareth drew upon often. In particular it teaches us the unrecognised significance and potential of small things ("The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed ..." Mark 4:41); it reminds us that we are limited, and that we must rely on God and the earth ("the seed would sprout and grow, and the sower does not know how..." Mark 4:26-29); and it urges us to sow widely in search of 'good soil' ("A sower went out to sow..." Mark 4:3-9).

Finally, the metaphor of a seed captures the mystery that all motion towards life in this world - the real work of reconciliation and justice - requires us to die to ourselves ("Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed", John 12:24). Urban Seed reflects a commitment to the patient work of nurturing life. This work is modest in its scope and its value is often unrecognised, but is perhaps the most important work of all.

"God bless the grass That grows through the crack, They roll the concrete over it, To try to keep it back.
The concrete gets tired of what it has to do, It breaks and buckles and the grass grows through. And God bless the grass."

Malvina Reynolds