Kingdom Not Competition
Jesus gave us all the mission of making disciples. When we are devoted to disciplemaking, we take people wherever they are, enter relationship with them and ask them to join us on the journey of discipleship. This mission has a unifying focus that is centered on Jesus.
Many have confused “making disciples” with “making church-goers.” Contrary to disciple-making, the mission of “church promotion” focuses more upon winning people to a particular church rather than helping them live the Jesus-life. This view’s main objective is to convince people to go to “our church” rather than “another church.” Such an approach cultivates immense arrogance and polarization of Jesus-followers. This mission is inherently divisive. Instead of focusing on things that unite us, this approach gravitates toward controversial issues that instigate partisanship and inflame division.
Jesus made clear that we should not spend our time arguing about who is “greatest in the kingdom” but rather we should assume a posture of humility and service toward others (Luke 22:24-27). Our mission is to help people to be disciples of Jesus, not gather adherents to “our church” by engaging in denominational competition. Such a factious and sectarian attitude does not reflect the spirit of Jesus. Like Diotrephes, some want to be recognized as “first” while refusing to welcome other believers in Jesus (3 John 9-10). Instead of competing with or castigating other believers or churches, we should focus on helping every individual we encounter to grow in their discipleship in God’s kingdom (whether or not they attend the same church as me).
Instead of placing our focus on church competition, we must focus on expanding God’s kingdom through disciple-making. Here are some principles to guide us:
God’s kingdom is his rule. God’s kingdom is not found exclusively in any particular church or denomination. According to Jesus, the kingdom of God is comprised of everyone who has entered by being born again (John 3:5). It includes all those who have surrendered to God’s rule and reign in their hearts and who are following Jesus (1 John 4:15).
Not all followers of Jesus will look identical. While Jesus prayed that all his followers be united (John 17:20-21), he also made clear that not all his followers will look identical or be found in predictable places (John 10:16). God’s kingdom is the worldwide gathering of all Jesus’ followers and is not limited to our familiar environments.
A disciple is anyone who is following Jesus. Paul once encountered twelve men who had no knowledge of the Holy Spirit (that’s a serious problem!) and had not been properly baptized into Christ (Acts 19:1-7). Yet, they are still called “disciples.” Disciples should lovingly accept one another’s faith journey and encourage each another to further develop in our understanding and following of Jesus (including the significance of baptism, see Acts 18:24-26).
God’s kingdom is not limited to our group. Some of Jesus’ disciples were once concerned about others who were doing kingdom-work who were not in their immediate group (Mark 9:38-40). Jesus said these efforts should not be discouraged because “anyone who is not against us, is for us.”
Mistaken beliefs within a group does not mean they are not in the kingdom of God. We must resist the tendency to exclude other churches from God’s kingdom because of mistaken beliefs. The church in Corinth had many mistaken doctrinal beliefs, not the least of which was denying the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12). Yet, Paul still calls them “God’s church” (1 Cor. 1:2). Certainly, Paul ministered to correct these errors, but these disciples did not cease to be in God’s kingdom because of their mistaken beliefs.
We are all on a journey with Christ. The Lord knows those who are his (2 Tim. 2:19). It is not my responsibility to set boundaries or make demarcations. Disciples of Jesus are found worldwide meeting in various places. Instead of engaging in prideful competition with other gatherings of believers, we should give grace to everyone. Having a spirit of humility, let us simply help each other (as individuals and churches) to follow Jesus more deeply.
