His Kingdom Expressed in So Many Creative Ways.

I have been fascinated this past week by the vast diversity of the kingdom of God. I met with a pastor who leads a church of 12,000. This leader, author and speaker who has taught and inspired leaders all over the world talked to me about the struggle of a hard conversation he was going to have with a friend in his ministry - he didn't want to have to do it, but knew it was for the best. He really cares - he has a great heart, a humble spirit. I then met with a guy who is just getting ready to take his church plant to a new season of weekly gatherings. He spoke of a mixture of excitement and concern about not meeting expectations - including his own. From there I met with a guy who pastors about 30 people. He's busy with his "real job" :), he loves this church that doesn't really look like a typical church, and he has vision to start these all over his community. He's wondering if he'll get support as he tries to start a gathering in a local bar.

Two days later I met and prayed with about 10 christian leaders in my community - from all different churches and ministries. I sat with gratitude as I recalled how one of them - from a large local church - blessed our church with a financial gift to help us buy projectors. And as the catholic church leader began to pray I thought of how we partner with their food bank. Then the covenant pastor prayed - this pastor who cares for some of my family every week. As one after another prayed I could think of how each has blessed my life or those I love in some way with the genuine love of Christ.

His kingdom work can not be contained, nor does it have to be bothered by a form or structure. He works through formal liturgy, barbecues in the park, house churches and typical evangelical church gatherings. Huge, tiny or in between - doesn't matter.

Too often I hear people speak in ridiculous generalizations about how shallow or materialistic large churces are. Or they talk of how ineffective or sloppy the small, humble gatherings are. There is not a right way or a more biblical way to gather. And frankly, it drives me crazy when well-meaning, zealous followers of Christ act as though there is. We miss so much of the beautiful diversity of His kingdom when we set it within boxes that Jesus never mandated.

He's just called us to love Him and love our neighbors. He wants us to make disciples. Let's do it the best way we know how and take time to stop and appreciate the creative ways others are doing it. I'm going to choose to believe that others hear from God too, and have honest, genuine and biblical motives for what they do.