What I See

Looking around at the body of Christ, I see the average jane and average joe coming to a greater understanding of ministry. They see the role that they play as ambassadors of the gospel within the ordinary moments of their lives. They pursue opportunities to interact with those who don’t yet know Jesus. They find opportunities to express His life and love to the people in their sphere of influence.

More people are realizing that they have a role to play as agents of the kingdom of God. They are taking up their responsibility as ministers, no longer expecting to leave it to the professionals.

At the same time, I see that the understanding and definition of the gospel is returning to the holistic message of the kingdom that Jesus gave us. Many have begun to question the gospel message that is limited to personal salvation only, viewed solely as an escape from eternal damnation.

We realize that salvation and the gospel of the kingdom is a message of redemption that includes but also surpasses a one-time decision. There is a greater revelation of God’s heart and desire to see the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.

Like the church and christians of the early days, these believers, with a renewed understanding of their identity as the church, have begun to spread the message of the gospel of the kingdom in a more grassroots and organic way.

They have been released to demonstrate the kingdom. They have taken the message of redemption and reconciliation out of the church building and into the streets and avenues of the world, bringing the kingdom into the lives of those who are outside the church.

This humble style of ministry has the potential for viral multiplication and expanding the peace of the kingdom in a much greater way. Millions of average believers are taking responsibility for their role in ministry, realizing that they are released to be an incarnational presence in their spheres of influence.

This is a time of transition within institutional churches. They are feeling the shaking that results as the hearts of their members are being turned. However, I truly believe it is a transition led by the Spirit of God, and that churches who are willing to cooperate and adapt will find themselves fully involved in what the Spirit is doing today. There is great potential for institutional churches to equip, facilitate, and release their members into missional expressions of participation in the kingdom of God.

Ultimately I see that God is releasing to the body a greater revelation of His love and His nature. I also see that the focus has shifted from the gospel of salvation with its expression in religious services to the gospel of the kingdom with an organic expression that encompasses all of life.

As the reality of the kingdom is spread by average believers expressing the love of God to the people around them, I envision a whole new understanding of the apostolic nature of Christ being awakened in the church.