It is discouraging to see churches that are not having much impact on their community. It is distressing to see churches shrinking. It is disconcerting to think that churches as we have known them could eventually disappear or become shells holding nothing more than the memories of the glory days of the past.

Why is this happening to so many churches today? I am convinced it is because churches have lost their focus and have failed to be faithful to the reason for their existence. As a result our churches have been characterized by too many people with a commitment to Sunday but not to service and sacrifice. We talk about “going to church” and that going may well be the extent of our involvement until the next time comes for “going.”  We have said that we need to grow the church when in reality we have needed to grow the kingdom.

The current generation of young adults is looking for a way to find personal meaning and purpose in their religious involvement. They want to be able to accomplish something of lasting value through their commitment to God. Sitting through the technically perfect and well-rehearsed presentation of worship and the highly polished sermons which fill up Sunday morning and set the boundaries for many people’s spiritual life and involvement does not meet this need. The worship and the sermons are not bad, but neither are they leading followers into being kingdom people. For too many, Christianity is encapsulated by the “church service” and there is not much spill over into the following week. We should be gathering to worship our God and receive strength to serve diligently in the kingdom until the next Sunday, We don’t “go to church” to be in the kingdom, but hopefully it is because we are kingdom people. Instead, too often we gather to worship and then depart to eat and watch our favorite sports team. The time spent at the church building is enjoyable and even meaningful, and if done well pulls more Christians into that fellowship, but in too many churches, not many sinners are being reached.  So, some churches grow while others shrink, but the sum total of church attenders keeps dropping as young (and sometimes older) adults seeking a totally purposeful life are looking outside the church for that.

When Jesus called his followers to “seek first the kingdom of God,” he was calling us to be servants in the eternal kingdom of God. The church is part of the kingdom of God, but it is not the entirety of the kingdom. God was already king when the universe was spoken into existence and his kingdom will never end. Jesus says that this kingdom must be the first priority for disciples. It must be more important than job, recreation, bank account, IRA, friends and yes, even more important than family. The focus of kingdom people is on things that are eternal, not the things that will all disappear someday. As Paul said, “…he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15) Jesus speaks of self-denial, daily cross bearing and losing the present life to gain an eternal life in Luke 9:23-25. . He says further that if these things do not characterize our lives, we cannot be his disciples. If they do not define our lives, then we are church people instead of kingdom people.

Church people too often are good people caught up in the present. Most of their effort and energy is expended in surviving from one day to the next and making certain they are enjoying life as much as they can. Real sacrifice is viewed as strange and is thought to be motivated by questionable judgment.  Too often the thinking is that if you don’t like what is happening in your church, you can look for a church that better meets your needs. Or, you can declare that you are done with church and that you are finding a different way to develop your relationship with God. Whatever is happening in the transitory present moment limits and defines the way you live out your faith.

Kingdom people are anchored in eternity and their day to day focus in life is on the kingdom.  That does not mean that everyone quits their job, gives away their money and becomes homeless, although some, like the apostle Paul, may choose to do that.  Rather it means that wherever we are, whatever we are doing, we live life God’s way and all that we do is ultimately intended to increase the impact of  God’s kingdom on a world ruled by Satan.

Give it some thought.  Are you a church person or a kingdom person?