Why are we attracted to cities?

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For the same reasons people of all ages and faiths are attracted to cities: There are more options for employment, education, entertainment, socializing and worship. I wouldn’t say the quality is better or worse—for instance, New York probably has the same percentage of terrible restaurants as any small town—but there are so many restaurants here that there are many more good ones, too. And there is definitely more variety.



I was attracted to New York partly because of my concern for the environment (a faith issue, I believe). I don’t own a car, and here everything is accessible by walking and public transportation. Real estate is expensive, so people learn to live with less space. Since many people live in row houses or apartments, heating is more efficient in the winter. New York recycles paper, metal, glass and some plastic once a week, and there’s an organization that composts our kitchen scraps four times a week.

I also like the intimate feel of many New York neighborhoods. I can walk down the street and buy milk at the corner store, a birthday card at the next shop, a slice of pizza at the next one and a gallon of paint after that. And if I don’t have enough money for the paint, Roger will probably say, “Oh, that’s OK, you can just give me the rest the next time you come in.” Since Mennonite communities began in rural areas in North America, Mennonites sometimes get stuck thinking of farmland as Christian and cities as scary and evil. But it’s interesting that when you read the New Testament, the early church got its start in towns and cities. Those were the places where people gathered to discuss new ideas, and Christianity was a crazy new idea. I’m glad there are so many Mennonite churches in New York because this is a place where Mennonites can thrive.

Lowell Brown is the manager of Menno House in Manhattan.

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Lowell Brown is the manager of Menno House in Manhattan.