What Is “Missional” – Part 5

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Continued from What is Missional: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.
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In our final post on key theological foundations for the missional conversation, we speak to the idea of living our lives under a kingdom of God agenda.

The Missional Church is about the rule and reign of God through Jesus – living the kingdom agenda.

The importance of a kingdom agenda perspective is twofold. First, the kingdom is not something we build or establish; it is something we enter or receive. When we enter the kingdom, we are placing ourselves under the kingship of God. We are no longer in control; instead ,we live in the reality that Jesus is truly Lord over every aspect of our lives, which in turn will consistently and vigorously challenge our plans and loyalties.

Second, the ideas of mission and kingdom are unequivocally linked. Mission involves both the announcement and the demonstration of the kingdom, or reign, of God. Therefore, the gospel is not merely communicating the plan of salvation (as depicted by presentations like the four spiritual laws), but it encompasses the totality of the kingdom agenda – the complete restoration of a broken world – which includes both demonstration (justice, mercy, liberation, love, reconciliation) and announcement (proclamation, evangelism, worship). If we are serious about entering the kingdom and participating in his mission, we must agree to do so on God’s terms.

Are there areas of your life that would have to change if you were truly living a “kingdom agenda?”

3 thoughts on “What Is “Missional” – Part 5”

  1. How we understand membership in the community has radically changed. If we think of ourselves as kingdom people and not church people (church as in the local organization), than our loyalty is to the kingdom life and not to any specific gathering. It has allowed us to take our own gathering much less seriously and has helped us play nicer with others.

  2. Thanks for this series of posts Brad! This last one seems particularly poignant as I reflect on the “turnings” our neighbors have made in their discipleship of Jesus. Coming to the understanding that the Kingdom of God is a present reality and not merely a realm we enter when we die was completely mind-blowing to them and it has transformed their lives, both individually and as a family. Thanks again and keep ‘em coming!