There was a time when someone would say, “It’s in your DNA,” others would have no idea what you were talking about. In our modern enlightened cultures today, we know, “Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix carrying genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of all known organisms” (thank you, Wikipedia).
DNA. It has become a part of everyday contemporary language. When someone asks, “What is in your DNA?”, or says, “It must be in your DNA,” we immediately assume they are talking about the foundational things that make us who we are.
Not only do people have DNA, but we could also say that philanthropic groups,, social networking groups, communities, and companies all have foundational building blocks that make them who they are. It’s good when an organization, business, church, club, is growing in keeping with its DNA, its foundational principles. When a company or NGO or social network or a country forgets their DNA, they lose focus, their reason for being. They begin to drift.
The DNA of “Pursuing God’s Heart” is found in its “Mission, Vision, and Values.” We hope you read this document and you get a clearer picture of what’s in our “Pursuing” DNA. We pray that you feel good about these values that are growing us into a distinctive “‘Pursuing’ culture,” and that they become a part of your personal spiritual DNA as well.
In coming posts, we will reflect on the values described in this “DNA document.” They’ll be spread around the website “rooms,” reinforcing the themes of the rooms, growing “Pursuing” into what God wants it to be. And you are a part of that!
In this room, in this post, let’s begin to consider the value of the Kingdom and the Church: “God’s kingdom is where Jesus rules, the local church declaring his reign through whole-hearted worship, in fellowshipping community, and being a living witness in word and deed.”
More will be said about the Kingdom and the Church in coming posts, but let’s start by simply affirming that is where the King reigns, the Kingdom has come. If Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords, then he is the Sovereign. When the King speaks, we obey.
Jesus-followers are not in a democracy, and Jesus is not a mere elected president or prime minister for a four year term subject of service to voters and the interest groups of his political perspective. Rather, we are the King’s subjects over whom, in whom, through whom he reigns. He is loving, good, kind, fair and just, and is worthy of joyful, wholehearted worship, complete surrender, and total obedience.
The Church is the Bride of the King, the local church being his face to the community, “declaring his reign through whole-hearted worship, in fellowshipping community, and being a living witness in word and deed.”
The church infuses society with the sweet fragrance of joyful, abandoned worship of the King, the only One worthy of passionate obedience and surrender.
The church demonstrates the heart of God’s love through being a fellowshipping, caring, giving community of love, the mark of true Jesus-followers.
The church fulfills God’s mission in the world through verbal declaration and reconciling deeds of love.
This all sounds pretty idealistic, doesn’t it? Perhap this DNA view of the Kingdom and the Church looks good on paper, but does it really work in real life? If not, why doesn’t it work?
I invite you to participate in a discussion on this value. Is it too idealistic to live by the Kingdom and the Church value discussed above? Do you have suggestions that may help people understand this part of the “Pursuing” DNA?
Please respond below. We’re looking forward to hearing from you