KINGDOM LEADERS
Jeff Christopherson
Start Team Leader
“Jesus said, ‘What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches” (Luke 13:18–19, NLT).
Kingdom leadership—investing in the community through good works and Good News—isn’t usually easy. Sometimes it is incredibly difficult. Often it is one person standing alone resolutely determined to resist the baser demands of others in order to accomplish something with eternal significance. This kind of leadership looks beyond self-interest toward something greater—often at a great personal cost. This kind of leader is what our church planting team is combing the nation to find; someone who looks at the church in a different way—not as the goal, but instead, as the vehicle to the goal.
What is the difference?
Let me illustrate it this way. This week I was referred to the website of a prominent SBC church and found these words penned by their pastor and boldly displayed on their front page:
“As I look around downtown… I see spectacular temples of commerce, of culture and of government— many new, some restored to former glory, and all intended to stand for generations. The Kingdom of God needs a home to equal them—a spiritual oasis in the middle of downtown.”
What was implied, if not explicitly stated, by this pastor is that he saw his church and the Kingdom of God as one in the same—a new spiritual realm that needed a home so as not to be dwarfed by worldly temples of commerce and government. Therefore, a 100 plus million dollar investment in remodeling facilities was, in fact, preparing a home for the very Kingdom of God. The church therefore is the goal; the Kingdom is … well, the church. The edifice is that which contains the realm of God’s rule—His Kingdom. Interesting theology to be sure. Unfortunately, this is not as uncommon as you might think. Most of us are just a little more subtle in masking our aspirations.
Let’s go back to our definition of a CNBC seed (the starting point of a new church). When it comes to planting new congregations across Canada, we look to partner with leaders who have Kingdom aspirations—leaders who invest in their community through both good works and Good News.
As I write this article, I am sitting aboard an Air Canada Airbus 320. I look out the window and see the landscape of Manitoba and a long silver and white wing. Although I cannot see it, I assume that there is a similar wing on the other side. Why can I assume this? Because, we seem to be flying without any catastrophic incident. The question of which wing is more important is a question which implies zero understanding of simple flight theory. Two balanced wings are always necessary to carry passengers safely to their destination.
If the destination is the Kingdom of God, then the wings of the church must be balanced with good works and Good News. James 2:14-20 leaves Christ followers with little wiggle-room on this question. Emphasis of one over the other leads to a social gospel or a lifeless religion disconnected from the values that Jesus Himself lived. The results of either are catastrophic to the Kingdom of God. Talking without walking usually leaves our world wondering how good our news actually is.
Good works verifies; Good News clarifies. Left and right; both are essential.
The leader of a new church plant with these twin objectives squarely in his sights is a courageous leader indeed. He will resist those who have mistakenly associated the church as the Kingdom, and demand that this new entity preserve itself and cease giving itself away in order to meet the divine objective of security. Why should we serve our community if our studies show that the majority of those whom we bless will never darken the door of our church? The answer is found on the pages of both Testaments and in the yearning spirits of a desperate nation who desire to see the selfless Kingdom of God being advanced by His church.
“Jesus said, ‘What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches” (Luke 13:18).