Gospel Participation – Becoming a People of Participation
We struggle with the idea of sharing the Gospel because even that phrase has been co-opted by the misguided, the manipulative, or just tone-deaf to the moment. They mostly feel like a bait-and-switch or a multi-level marketing scheme, then a Jesus’ invitation into a new kingdom. What if sharing the Gospel could look like inviting a neighbor over for dinner? Or taking a Saturday to serve our city in a meaningful way? Or just simply living in such a way that it begs the question? What if sharing the Gospel is more like Jesus and moving towards pain and loving people into the Kingdom?
Intentional Formation
Holistic Justice
Courageous Hospitality
Gospel Participation
“42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” –Acts 2:42–47 (ESV)
Midtown Church exists to renew the reputation of the local church by revealing the kingdom of Jesus in Kansas City.
Tone-deaf Examples of Gospel Preaching
Many of us inside the church immediately flinch at the idea or the thought of “preaching the Gospel” because we’ve seen too many bad examples.
What if sharing the Gospel could look like inviting a neighbor over for dinner? Or taking a Saturday to serve our city in a meaningful way? Or just simply living in such a way that it begs the question? What if sharing the Gospel is more like Jesus and moving towards pain and loving people into the Kingdom?
The Gospel Defined
The word euangelion in Greek is actually where we get our word evangelism. In Jesus’ day, it was not considered a religious word but rather a political one.
The gospel or the good news is simply this: The rule of earthly dictators, the violence of evil forces, and the brokenness of our own heart is coming to an end. God’s perfect rule and reign, his perfect and restored Kingdom is coming.
Euangelion or evangelism is the announcement of God’s vision for creation, his desire for human flourishing. Christ enters the world and gives us a vision for a new life, a new community, a new world– a new Kingdom.
“And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles…Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”
– Acts 8:1, 4
The followers of Christ bear the weight of telling the World that the Kingdom of Christ has arrived. But how do we do that?
How would we organize ourselves in that new Kingdom?
We commit ourselves to the following shifts necessary for gospel participation in this community.
From ▸ Few people are called to ministry (pastors, staff, board, select few).
To ▸ All people are called and empowered by the Spirit of God to reveal Jesus to others.
From▸ The Church is a thing I do on Sunday mornings. I choose my church and community based off my needs and preferences.
To ▸ I choose my church and community based on a shared mission to reveal Jesus to those around me.
From ▸ The Sunday gathering is the main event and for my personal enjoyment and growth.
To ▸ The Sunday gathering is for equipping, encouraging, and inspiring people to be on mission and in a microchurch.
From ▸ The Church is a place I can take my children and they can be discipled.
To ▸ Church is a place I can take my children in which all those gathered are a part of my child’s spiritual formation and growth starting me as a parent.
From ▸ Serving with the church is an interruption, optional and a threat to my schedule.
To ▸ Being the church is who I am throughout the week and is a priority as I reveal the Kingdom of Jesus in my community.
From ▸ Programs and events of the church institution are necessary and for my benefit.
To ▸ All efforts of the church are focused on loving one’s neighbor, making disciples, and reaching those who do not know Jesus.
From ▸ Our greatest assets are buildings, pastors, and programs.
To ▸ Our greatest asset is people participating in the Gospel.
From ▸ Success is defined by butts in the seats, money given, and programs developed.
To ▸ Success is defined by the revelation of Jesus’ kingdom through the formation of disciples, the local impact of microchurches, and church planting.
From ▸ Only certain people or ministries are called to serve and love the poor, oppressed, and marginalized.
To ▸ We are all called by Jesus Christ to love and serve the poor, oppressed, and marginalized.
From ▸ Church is a relatively comfortable, homogenous place where I get along with almost everyone sharing the same beliefs, political party, and socioeconomic background.
To ▸ Church is a diverse, and at times uncomfortable, community where I may not always agree with everyone but have learned to love, value, and learn from our differences.
From ▸ Church finances should be spent on the best Sunday morning experience.
To ▸ Church finances should be spent to better our community and reveal the Kingdom of Jesus through efforts such as community impact, local organizations, and church planting both local and abroad.
An invitation to a new Kingdom.
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
– Genesis 1:27–28 (The Message):
The Church is not the place where you do your Christian duty and leave— it is an incubator for us to discover God’s goodness in the community and to be deployed in mission and purpose.
