|
Kingdom Culture VS Church
Culture
The
rediscovery of the message regarding the Kingdom of Heaven has opened our eyes
to many avoidable problems within church culture. The Western mindset of
building “church” versus building “Kingdom” has left an ongoing set of
problems that have changed little in hundreds of years.
Christianity,
our identity with Christ, must be based upon the global perspective of the
Kingdom of God rather than a localized perspective of “my church.” If my
relationship is solely based upon the local church, when my “relationships
sour” so does my identity with Christianity.
I
often heard this statement over and over when someone new joined the church, “We
need to get them active in the church.” Meaning: Let’s give these new
folks a job to do, so we won’t lose them. Often creating something just
to make the new converts or members, feel a part of the whole.
The
problem with this identity into church culture is, rather than the foundation
for the relationship being based on the Kingdom, it is based solely within the
local church. Church culture then is fed by activities as opposed to
Kingdom relationship.
Church
culture activities would include, but not be limited to:
- Church choir.
- Cell groups.
- Popular pastors.
- Sports.
- Programs.
When
something happens to their activity, (their main purpose for “church”) those
who built their life around the activity no longer have a relationship with the
church. If they become offended over an activity they will often “quit
church”, complaining Christianity didn’t work for them. When in reality
their relationship was based on pop church culture rather than on Jesus the King
of the Kingdom. When their activity fails them, they then in turn blame their
disappointments on the church.
While
there may be nothing wrong with activities per se, it should never be the basis
for our life in Christ.
The
Kingdom culture is fed by a personal relationship with the King, rather than
activities. Prayer, worship, and the Word of God feed kingdom relationship. It
is founded in a Person, not an institution. It grows and is enhanced by daily
communion with the Person of the Holy Spirit, as opposed to a once a week
download of participation with activities.
If failure comes within a local church, it doesn’t
change you, because your relationship with the church is based on the Kingdom of
God, not people or things. “You” are a part of a greater culture called the
Kingdom. If we are only focused on “our church” – then church is all about
you! The opposite of that is: The Kingdom is all about Him!
When
our relationship with the Kingdom is properly aligned, we will embrace the fact
we are the Church, we don’t just go to church. Then no storm or offense can
shake us because we are founded on the bedrock of Christ Himself. It’s time to
enjoy the ride, not endure it.
My Embrace,
Eddie
|
