Kingdom vs. Church

I attended Catalyst in Atlanta last October. The content that was contained in Catalyst changed me. I mean a total change. I abandoned much religion, tradition and started a new journey, especially as it relates to ministry. One of the speakers at the conference was Alex McManus. His teaching was amazing. I wish I had the opportunity to listen more. In just one hour he was able to teach me that I need to begin viewing a Kingdom and not a church.

That week and that hour come up often in my mind. It’s a Kingdom not church. It’s no wonder why I’ve always thought church and not a Kingdom. I mean for so long I would hear phrases like “Can I come to your church?” “What type of church do you attend?” I’m sure people will agree that churches segregate the Sabbath Day. I hear statements of “white church”, “black church”, “Asian church” or “deliverance church”. If we look at everything as the Kingdom then there should be all types of people from every race. If a place calls itself a deliverance church does it mean it’s unable to do anything else? Why just limit a place to deliverance?

I’ve learned over the past 10 months that my goal and focus is not to grow a church but grow a Kingdom. It seems to be working though I find myself wanting to slip back into a church mentality. It’s time to dream and see visions of the Kingdom. I need to continue to grab the bigger picture. I’m born again (from above) into a Kingdom not a church. Kingdom is much bigger and contains more. I’m a citizen of a Kingdom not a member of a church.

NOTE: Alex McManus has a mentoring network that I’m interested in attending. There is a substantial cost but I hope to become part of the network. I’m sure it would bring more change. -chuck