The Kingdom of God ‘rules’ v. Church
The Kingdom of God
I know my mission – I say mine, because I am the one writing this blog, but I speak for my husband John, too! It’s our mission to train God’s people to be Kingdom Citizens, not just people who go to church. This blog is addressed to anyone in Church, whether you are a leader or sheep and in particular, sheep that just don’t want to grow and are, quite frankly, hard work.
Before I get into it, it’s important for me to add that EVERY church has a core of people who are committed fully to the life of our churches. Without them, our churches wouldn’t function. They are so consistent, to the point that when they are NOT there, you know something is wrong or they are away. They are amazing and we are SO grateful to all of you. You can read the following in complete peace of mind.
Two scriptures that I have been thinking about lately. Read them slowly, digest them and then ask if your church is anything remotely like this:
9 No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, 10 and is well known for good works—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work. 2 Timothy 5:9-12
No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support!! – Can you even imagine telling people in our churches that we’re not going to support them because they haven’t fulfilled what’s required? How many people do you know that give absolutely nothing to their church family, (not even talking financially, although that is hugely important), they don’t smile, pray or even EVER say thank you – yet they suck the life out of anyone who will listen and whatever is done for them, it is never enough? And then, when they’ve sucked one church dry, they simply move on to another one, usually with a story to tell about how bad their last church was because it wasn’t loving. Deep sigh.
Yes, the church needs to show kindness, but it should never be just one way. We are creating a world, inside and outside of the church that says, if you play your cards right, you won’t have to contribute anything to society or church. We will give you everything, food, clothes, school uniforms, free school dinners, and even period products – yes, there is now a thing called ‘period poverty’. Can’t we see that what is perceived as kindness is creating an entitlement society? The church – again generally speaking – is in danger of mirroring this culture. In the early church, no one had any needs, because they helped each other, BUT they devoted themselves as we’ll see. The 21st Century church is seeking to help their communities, but we’ve chucked out the ‘requirements’. Why? one word – numbers.
Most denominations have a requirement that churches send their numbers in every week. Sunday is the main one. Church leaders, if you need a bubble bursting, here it is. Your Sunday numbers are not it. That is a false picture. Your true numbers are those who you see in your home groups and prayer meetings, those who serve regularly in a practical or spiritual way – cleaning, hosting, kids, youth, etc… who are regularly digging in to advance the kingdom. That’s our church and that’s your church.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to….
- The apostle’s teaching, 2. to the fellowship, 3. to the breaking of bread, and 4. to prayer. This is the kingdom stance
They devoted themselves to….
- Rocking up to church whenever they feel like it, 2. not praying, 3. being late every week, 4. being critical, 5. zero giving either in time, financially or encouragement. This is the church stance (generally speaking)
A church whose culture is one of rocking up to church whenever, not praying, being late every week, being critical, zero giving either in time, financially or encouragement is completely unworkable. Many church leaders either just quit, sin or burn out. It’s unworkable.
A church who won’t challenge the above is destined to never advance the Kingdom of God, a church who gives and gives to people only on a social level is destined to never advance the Kingdom of God.
Why don’t some pastors challenge wrong behaviour? One word – numbers. The last thing any pastor wants to do is lose people, so rather than challenging that person who just isn’t nice, we put up with them so we can say we have 50 instead of 49. Pathetic, isn’t it?
Our significance is in our numbers, and it needs to change.
Here’s another reason why some pastors struggle to challenge – they were never meant to lead church on their own. And God gave some to be, Apostles, teachers, pastors, evangelists and prophets. We’ve ditched the 4 and given everything to the pastor. Why? It was never meant to be that way.
Maybe you would really like to be a full-on disciple of Jesus, but you just struggle with making the necessary changes. Devote yourself, be kind, keep going, keep listening, you will break through.
Some questions for you to mull over with your friends or maybe in your home group:-
What if God wants to shrink the church so that He can grow the Kingdom? Y’all ready for this? (queue the music!)
Or is it too late? Is it going to take a whole new pioneering movement to ‘re-birth’ the church as God intended?
Do you think God thinks it’s OK to be inconsistent, rude, late, non-contributary?
In my humble opinion, we have moved a long way from 2 Timothy 5 and Acts 2. John and I are a way off it too but, what I can say is we care less about what people think today than we once did, and, where it matters, we will challenge and have lost people because of that. The truth is, we all only have an audience of One and if we choose to listen to Him even if it may mean our churches get pruned, that’s what we’re going to do; we will be all the stronger for it, I genuinely believe that.
It’s time that the real church stood up and I believe that that is a church who are devoted to solid Word of God teaching, fellowship, communion and prayer.
Let’s get serious about taking hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us.
Until next time
D x
debbullock 