As pastors, we are called to be ambassadors of God’s kingdom. We are tasked with promoting the values, worldview and actions of heaven here on earth. Yet, I see a concerning trend in many churches today. Instead of transforming the culture around us, we are being transformed by it. Many congregations have become more cultural than Christian, getting so comfortable with society and its ways that they become useless in advancing God’s kingdom agenda.
When we, as the church, veer off course and fail to repent and return to God, we lose our impact. We start focusing inward on our own programs and preferences, rather than outward on our divine mission. It’s time for us to ask a hard question: Are we truly representing the kingdom of God, or have we settled for a version of Christianity that merely reflects the world around us?
The Danger of Becoming a Secret-Agent Christian
God has not called us to be secret-agent Christians. He has called us to be visible, verbal followers of Jesus Christ. Our communities should be able to look at our churches and see a clear difference. They should see our good works and hear our good words, witnessing both verbalizations and demonstrations of God’s kingdom power.
The problem arises when we prioritize society's approval over God's. We begin to marginalize God, pushing His truth to the corners of our lives and ministries. We stop taking Him seriously, and as a result, our influence wanes. We cannot expect to change the world if we look just like it. An ambassador who has forgotten which kingdom they represent has lost their purpose.
Returning to a Kingdom Agenda
So, how do we shift from being culturally conditioned to being kingdom influencers? It starts by returning to a right relationship with God and recommitting to His kingdom agenda. The kingdom agenda is simply the visible manifestation of God's comprehensive rule over every area of life. When we align ourselves under God’s rule, we don’t just touch heaven—we change earth.
True transformation happens when we bring God "downtown"—into the core of who we are as individuals and as a church. It’s about prioritizing His perspective in our personal lives, our families, our churches and our communities. When we do this, we begin to see His power and authority unleashed. He sustains, restores and revives relationships, finances and lost dreams. Without His kingdom influence, everything eventually crumbles.
Actionable Steps for Your Ministry
Revitalizing your church’s mission begins with a conscious decision to take God seriously again.
- Preach the Kingdom: Jesus’ ministry and teachings were centered on the kingdom of God. This must be our standard for evaluating every idea and philosophy that enters our church. We must teach our people to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all other things will be added to them.
- Live with Gratitude and Gladness: God wants kingdom influencers who serve Him out of a heart of gratitude. When we serve the Lord with gladness and thankfulness, we create an atmosphere where His presence dwells. A heart of gratitude keeps us tethered to Him as our Source, protecting us from the entitlement and pride that our culture promotes.
- Foster Authentic Connection: Serving God means staying in close contact with Him. We must lead our congregations to draw near to Him to tap into His grace, majesty and power. This is how we hear His voice and know what to say and do in every moment. An ambassador must stay in communication with his or her home country.
- Act for Social Impact: The kingdom agenda is not passive. We must equip, empower and unite our congregations to impact the world around them. This means addressing the core issues that divide us with biblical truth and partnering with others to transform our communities for God's glory.
Let’s decide today to stop being cultural Christians and fully embrace our roles as ambassadors for Christ. Let's wear His brand, reflect His image and unleash His kingdom power in a world that desperately needs it.
HOW TO UNLEASH THE KINGOM IN YOUR CHURCH
My book, Unleashed, is designed to help you and your congregation move from a cultural faith to a kingdom-driven life. I would recommend using it in a few key ways:
- Sermon Series: The book is structured to provide a multi-week sermon series on what it means to live under God’s authority. You can walk your church through the core principles of the kingdom agenda, from understanding God as the Source to operating as His ambassador.
- Small Group Study: Each chapter contains truths that are perfect for discussion in a small group setting. Encourage your groups to dive into the Scriptures referenced and discuss how to apply these kingdom principles to their daily lives, families, church, and workplaces.
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Leadership Training: Use Unleashed as a tool for your church leadership team—elders, deacons, and ministry leaders. Work through the book together to ensure your entire leadership is aligned with a kingdom worldview, which will help shape the direction and mission of your church.