iMonk responds to this from Ray Ortlund in Christ is Deeper Still

“My passion isn’t to build up my church. My passion is for God’s Kingdom.”

Ever heard someone say that? I have. It sounds large-hearted, but it’s wrong. It can even be destructive.

Suppose I said, “My passion isn’t to build up my marriage. My passion is for Marriage. I want the institution of Marriage to be revered again. I’ll work for that. I’ll pray for that. I’ll sacrifice for that. But don’t expect me to hunker down in the humble daily realities of building a great marriage with my wife Jani. I’m aiming at something grander.”

Here is the response that iMonk makes that I noticed and with which I most resonated:

If you care about the Kingdom, faithfully care for your church.I agree completely. But if your church ceases to preach the Gospel or compromises its purpose and mission for relevance and worldly success, what will be the larger framework that will allow you to know something is wrong? It will be a passion for Christ and his Kingdom, applied to a specific situation.

Is a Passion for the Church the Same as a Passion for the Kingdom? | internetmonk.com

A big “but what if” part of “your local church IS the Kingdom” as Michael explains:

If an American church has 10,000 members, and they would all tithe, what would most of those churches do? Build bigger buildings and hire more staff to do more programs. Let’s support the church, but let’s not buy whiskey for proven alcoholics.

Amen to that.  There is a MODEL.  The church is the model.  A LOCAL church may well not be.  it COULD be.  It often isn’t.  it often is but a refelction of the culture with a “flavor of Christianity”  or a “slight tint” of the church.  These churches often do well.

I’m writing this as I continue to read Michael’s post.  Just after writing my previous paragraph,  I read this in his post: 

The claim that “the church is the way disciples seek first the Kingdom” is a claim made by churches and church leaders. I think it has to be questioned, not because there aren’t great churches and pastors like Immanuel and Ortlund, but because there are worldly and compromised “churches” and “shepherds” as described in Revelation 2-3, Ezekiel, etc.