Jesus and the Kingdom (Day 3)
by JM · 01 July 2008

I continue reading "Mission in Christ's Way". Lesslie Newbigin concludes his section on Jesus preaching the kingdom with the following words:

So, for God's sake, let us not fall into this game of setting words and deeds against each other, preaching against action for justice and action for justice against preaching. Do not let us set "kingdom" against "church" and "church" against "kingdom". The church is not an end in itself. "Church growth" is not an end in itself. The church is only true to its calling when it is a sign, an instrument and a foretaste of the kingdom. But, on the other hand, talk about the kingdom is mere ideology if it is not tied to the name of Jesus in whom the kingdom is present and if it does not invite men and women to recognize that presence, to do the U-turn, to become part of that company that (sinful as it has always been) acknowledges Jesus as the one in whom God's kingdom is present and so seeks to honour him, to serve him, to follow him.

I suspect that Newbigin's words here are more challenging than they even at first appear. Is it possible that God could have an active purpose for small congregations of believers other than to grow in numbers? We often assume that growth in numbers is a sign of health and our actions can succumb to the temptation to focus on growing as opposed to other things God may have in mind for us to do. If God's calling for some congregations is to grow in numbers, what if growth in numbers were a distraction to His calling for other congregations? Is it possible that God could use small churches to accomplish unique things for His glory that larger congregations either cannot or are not called to do? What about the local church you attend?

Please post a comment if you have thoughts on this one way or another.

 

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