"What we believe about the King and His Kingdom will determine the way we live our lives. Pastors and leaders in the West spend so much time struggling with the issues of the relevance of the church to society and a sense of purpose for its members. Despite our best plans and efforts, the Western church has been in numerical decline for more than thirty years. When the church, both in the West and in the developing world, embraces what it is to truly follow and reflect; the seeking, inviting, serving, rescuing King, a King Who is holy and loves justice, then we will become the counter-cultural change agents (salt and light) that the early church was, and that JESUS has always intended it to be. Then we, like JESUS the King, will become immediately relevant to a world that is looking for something beyond mere words. And our church members will come alive as they connect to the great cause of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Scriptures for prayerful consideration;

Psalm 24:10
Colossians 1:15-16, 19
Hebrews 1:3
Mark 10:45
Luke 19:10

Certainly not an exhaustive list but perhaps a jumping off point to help us realize there is much work to be done. The gospel is so much bigger than inviting Christ into our hearts, then sitting back waiting for the rapture. Perhaps a jumping off point  to help us discover that as big and all encompassing as we thought the Kingdom was, it is infinitely more. It is a radical, risky, exhilarating message that we are invited to carry and to live. This gospel stands as a voice and demonstration of justice and righteousness; it is powerful enough to not only challenge injustice, but to break its power. This gospel embraces and follows Christ as He runs into the darkness, bringing His freedom. His remedy for the oppression, sickness and hopelessness that resides there."

This gospel has never changed."

When Everything Changes
by Steve Stewart