Jesus described the kingdom of God in ways that magnified the impact of small, even unseen, things. A mustard seed is the smallest of seeds. Yeast, though uncelebrated, is unstoppable. A pearl, a hidden treasure, a dragnet of all things.
The humble nature of these objects did not, in Jesus’ mind, diminish their power. As underwhelming as they are, Jesus elevated them as icons of his eternal reign.
If the kingdom is advanced through such obscurity, what characterizes the people who join Jesus’ kingdom work?
Part of my story now, is that after almost 30 years in pastoral ministry, one year ago I stepped into a new kind of ministry to lead a local nonprofit called The Everyone’s Welcome Network (aka, Everyone’s Wilson). We help churches live like missionaries in the local community, inviting everyone to experience the life God created them to live.
I’m still on a steep learning curve, but here’s Part 1 of a four-part series on contrasting characteristics I’ve observed among people who live for the kingdom:
Part 1: Kingdom people view other Christians as co-laborers rather than competitors.
Few pastors or other Christian leaders admit having an attitude of competition, but many of us do. When we see others succeeding in ways we’re trying to succeed, our first response may not be what it should be.
It’s more than tinges of envy, however. We naturally work hard to fulfill our own calling and to build what’s in front of us. Pastors build churches, nonprofit leaders build nonprofits, entrepreneurs build businesses, and so on. This is good. We were built to build.
But it’s only good to the extent we see our very important life-work as part of something greater. As long as we see the success of our department, our project, our church, or our organization as the ultimate goal, we will see everyone else as a threat.
Kingdom people refuse to build castles. Instead, we plant fields without fences.
In contrast, Kingdom people refuse to build castles. There are no motes, no walls, no garrisons. Instead, we plant fields without fences where our crops pollenate the crops of our neighbors, where passersby reach out for a handful of grain along the way, and where those who have help to give have free access to give it.
We don’t cooperate simply to be neighborly. We cooperate because all of us, big and small, have limited capacities to see our dream come true. The transformation of a city or of the nations is out of reach for every lone actor—as wonderfully gifted as we may be.
But when many very ordinary, Spirit filled individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations view one another as partners in a bigger Kingdom, we not only fulfill Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17, but we actually fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples of all the world.
Finally, in addition to God doing great things through our partnerships to impact our neighbors and the nations, he also does a fresh work in our own hearts. Kingdom people change. Instead of being conformed to the pattern of this world, we are transformed into something that looks more like Jesus.
Kingdom people change. Instead of being conformed to the pattern of this world, we are transformed into something that looks more like Jesus.
He gives us greater love for the diverse people in this work with us. We put envy and strife aside, and celebrate the wins of others as wins for the kingdom. We no longer compare to compete with others. Now we compare to correct and perfect ourselves.
Like brothers and sisters, we may wrestle in the living room floor, but we’ve got each other’s backs when we walk out the door.
Questions to Consider:
What ways can you publicly celebrate the wins of other kingdom-motivated churches, businesses, organizations in your community?
How can you structurally change your organization to remove barriers and build bridges of intentional cooperation with churches or organizations outside of your tribe?
What steps of reconciliation do you need to take with a brother or sister in Christ who is in this kingdom work with you?
Want Your Church, Business, or Organization to Make a Kingdom Impact?
Whether it’s a weekend worship event, small group session, business executive team, or a company wide retreat, I’d be honored to serve your church, business, or organization as you build kingdom coalitions and develop proven practices for community transformation.
Just send me an email at darylcrouch@everyoneswilson.org or click the Contact Daryl button and complete the form. I’d love to hear from you.