Church Shift Revolutionizing Your Faith Church, and Life for the 21st Century

1. Shift from Church-Focused to Kingdom-Minded

The church fulfills its mandate when it changes society, not when it's confined to its sanctuary and Sunday school classrooms.

Beyond the Walls. The modern church often prioritizes internal activities and growth over external impact, leading to ineffectiveness in fulfilling the Great Commission. The true mandate is to disciple nations, not just individuals, by extending kingdom principles into every sphere of society. This requires a shift in mindset from building bigger churches to transforming communities and nations.

Kingdom vs. Church. The kingdom of God is not confined to church buildings or religious activities; it is a dynamic force meant to permeate every aspect of life. The church serves as a training ground and equipping center, but the real ministry happens outside its walls, where believers apply kingdom principles to address societal issues and bring about transformation. This involves engaging in areas such as government, business, education, and the arts.

Impact over Isolation. The church is called to be the pillar and foundation of truth, upholding kingdom values and empowering believers to be world changers. This requires a proactive approach, where Christians actively seek to influence and transform their communities, rather than isolating themselves within the church. The goal is to build the kingdom of God in a nation, allowing its influence to overflow into streets, workplaces, and governments.

2. Find Your Promised Land at the Intersection of Love and Pain

Your promised land is where your love and pain intersect.

Purpose Discovery. Your "promised land" is the specific area where you are meant to exercise kingdom influence, and it is found where your deepest passions and concerns converge. This is the place where you can most effectively use your God-given talents and abilities to meet the needs of others and bring about positive change. Identifying this area is crucial for kingdom effectiveness.

Passion and Concern. Your promised land is often revealed through a combination of love and pain. It is the area where you feel a strong connection and a deep concern for a particular problem or need in society. This passion can drive you to take action and make a difference in that specific area.

Beyond the Pulpit. Your ministry is not limited to traditional church roles; it extends to every area of life where you can bring kingdom principles to bear. This may involve using your professional skills, talents, or experiences to address societal issues, serve others, and establish God's rule in your sphere of influence. It's about finding your unique habitat where you can be naturally graceful and fruitful.

3. Embody Kingdom Principles to Transform Your Sphere

A kingdom addiction is the only addiction we are allowed in this life.

Transformed Mindset. Before you can effectively rule in your promised land, you must be transformed by the renewing of your mind, aligning your thoughts and actions with kingdom principles. This involves embodying the nature of Christ and living by His teachings, bringing the lifestyle of the kingdom of God to your world. It's about being addicted to God and His ways.

Reject Worldly Ways. To be kingdom-minded, you must reject the world's way of thinking and embrace superior principles from a superior place. This involves embodying characteristics such as love, peace, justice, mercy, and compassion, which are more powerful than the world's methods of control, power, and manipulation. It's about operating from a different and superior set of principles than the world we live in.

Live the Principles. The key to transforming your sphere of influence is to embody kingdom principles in your daily life, demonstrating sincerity, honesty, truth, integrity, and hard work. By living out these values, you become a glaring example of righteousness and a model for the world to see and emulate. This involves being the best in every area of your life and continuing to do good, knowing that good will always overcome evil in the end.

4. Hard Work is Essential for Kingdom Success

Hard work is the wealth of the poor man.

Diligence and Effort. Success in God's kingdom requires more than just finding your promised land and becoming kingdom-minded; it demands consistent effort and diligence. Hard work is a fundamental principle that cannot be overlooked, and it is often the missing ingredient in many Christians' lives. It is the key to unlocking potential and achieving lasting impact.

Work as a Blessing. Work is not a curse or a mere obligation; it is a blessing from God, designed to fulfill our purpose and contribute to His kingdom. It was part of Adam's calling before the Fall, and it remains a vital aspect of our lives as we seek to subdue our promised lands. It is a means of exercising dominion over God's creation.

Transforming Nations. Hard work is essential for transforming nations and bringing kingdom principles to bear on societal issues. It requires a commitment to excellence, a willingness to persevere through challenges, and a dedication to serving others. It is through diligent effort that we can develop our gifts, passions, and callings, and ultimately have a maximum impact for Christ.

5. Embrace Persecution as a Training Ground

A key to ruling your promised land is to enjoy the school of persecution.

Purposeful Suffering. Persecution is not an accident or a sign of failure; it is an integral part of the Christian journey and a valuable training ground for kingdom leadership. It is through trials and challenges that we develop resilience, deepen our faith, and learn to rely on God's strength. It's about seeing persecution as an invitation to have a right response.

Skill Development. Persecution often forces us to acquire new skills and knowledge that are essential for fulfilling our calling. It may require us to learn new languages, adapt to different cultures, or develop innovative strategies for overcoming obstacles. These experiences equip us to be more effective in our promised lands.

Character Refinement. Persecution reveals our true character and provides opportunities to grow in Christlikeness. It challenges our selfish nature and compels us to embody kingdom values such as love, forgiveness, and perseverance. By responding with grace and humility, we demonstrate the power of God's love and become more effective witnesses for His kingdom.

6. Serve the "Least of These" to Unlock Kingdom Influence

To reach new heights in the kingdom we must extend our hand to the depths and become a friend of the unwanted and unloved.

God's Priority. God often starts with the marginalized and overlooked members of society, not the elite or powerful. Serving "the least of these" is a key to unlocking kingdom influence and experiencing breakthrough in your calling. It's about recognizing that Jesus surrounds us in the form of other people.

Ministry Beyond the Pulpit. True ministry extends beyond preaching and traditional church activities; it involves touching people's lives and meeting their needs in practical ways. This may involve serving the poor, the homeless, the addicted, or those who are considered outcasts by society. It's about making ordinary people feel good around you.

Transformation from the Bottom Up. By serving the "least of these," you create opportunities for transformation and demonstrate the love of Christ in tangible ways. This can lead to personal growth, societal change, and the expansion of God's kingdom. It's about understanding that if God can touch the down and outs of society through us, only then will He trust us with the rich and elite of our nation.

7. Learn to Fight for Righteousness

There is no victory without battle.

Battle as a Constant. The Christian life is not a passive existence; it is a constant battle against the forces of darkness. There is no victory without engaging in spiritual warfare and standing up for righteousness. It's about understanding that this is a contested planet.

Training Through Trials. God uses battles to train and equip us for greater effectiveness in our calling. These trials test our faith, reveal our weaknesses, and provide opportunities to grow in strength and resilience. They are a necessary part of the journey toward fulfilling our purpose.

Courage and Action. To be successful in battle, you must be courageous and willing to take action, even in the face of opposition. This involves standing up for truth, confronting unrighteousness, and refusing to back down in the face of adversity. It's about understanding that God Himself will fight for you.

8. Become a Deliverer, Like Moses

If you will not accept responsibility for this country, then I will!

Identifying with Your Nation. To be a deliverer, you must identify with your nation and take responsibility for its well-being. This involves seeing yourself as an integral part of your society and committing to work for its transformation. It's about understanding that her peace is my peace.

Speaking for God. As a deliverer, you are called to speak for God in your sphere of influence, promoting kingdom principles and challenging unrighteousness. This may involve confronting powerful leaders, advocating for justice, and raising up other believers to become agents of change. It's about understanding that you are God's spokesperson.

Raising Up Leaders. A key aspect of being a deliverer is to raise up other leaders who can carry on the work of transformation. This involves training, mentoring, and empowering others to use their gifts and talents to impact society for Christ. It's about understanding that one person cannot transform a nation alone.

9. Impose the Kingdom on the Culture Through Principles, Models, and Organization

For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

Principles over Religiosity. The most effective way to influence culture is to promote kingdom principles, not just religious practices. This involves presenting biblical values in a way that resonates with people from all backgrounds, emphasizing integrity, respect, and compassion. It's about understanding that principles unite, but religiosity divides.

Creating Tangible Models. Develop practical models and programs that address societal problems and demonstrate the effectiveness of kingdom principles. These initiatives can serve as examples of how to bring about positive change and inspire others to take action. It's about understanding that you are the solution to every problem.

Organization and Structure. Effective organization is essential for sustaining and scaling your efforts to transform culture. This involves developing clear systems, structures, and management practices to ensure that your initiatives are well-managed and have a lasting impact. It's about understanding that God cannot build on a sloppy structure.

10. Know When to Pray and When to Act

Get up! What are you doing on your face? Take action.

Prayer as Foundation. Prayer is a vital foundation for kingdom work, providing guidance, strength, and revelation. It is through prayer that we connect with God, discern His will, and receive the power to carry out His plans. It's about understanding that action without prayer is foolish.

Action as Response. However, prayer is not a substitute for action. There comes a time when you must leave the prayer room and put your faith into practice, implementing the strategies and plans that God has revealed to you. It's about understanding that the solution is in your hands.

Balance and Obedience. The key is to strike a balance between prayer and action, knowing when to seek God's guidance and when to step out in obedience. This requires discernment, courage, and a willingness to take risks, trusting that God will empower you to fulfill His purpose. It's about understanding that the kingdom belongs to doers, not hearers.

Last updated: March 16, 2025