How do you tell you if you are involved in a “Kingdom” work or an “Organizational” work when it concerns the Gospel, or more specifically, when it comes to church and/or cross cultural work?
Here are some insights from one of my favorite practicioners, David Watson:
Following are some filter questions I use to determine if I am involved in Kingdom work instead of organizational work.
- Is the work founded on Scripture-only or is it doctrine-based?
- Is the work obedience-based, insight-based, or knowledge-based? (Obedience-based and knowledge-based are probably familiar terms. Insight-based is about discovering all the nuances of Scripture, but may not lead to obedience if insight is the goal. Most expositors and commentators are insight-based.)
- Does the work relate to the whole body of Christ?
- Does the work put the whole body of Christ ahead of our own personal or organizational interests?
- Does the work touch and benefit others not related to our organization?
- Does the work help others without expectation of return?
- Does the work take the Gospel to the masses (all demographics)?
- Does the work get to evangelism and church planting through disciple-making, and is disciple-making a primary focus?
- Can the work move to others from the beginning point of the work?
- Is the work founded on natural leaders?
- Do methodologies focus on multiplying new units – Disciples, Bible Studies, Churches?
- Do methodologies focus on expanding to new neighborhoods, cities, nations, people groups?
- Do we plan to reach our city/nation/people group for Christ (focus on lostness), or do we want to grow our church/denomination (focus on ourselves)?
- Does the work put a high priority on reaching the lost regardless of other activities?
- Does the work endeavor to transform communities?
