Turning Innovation into a “Kingdom Something”
When the kingdom innovates, we see creative reframing, practical obedience, Spirit-led decision-making, fruitful action, humble leadership, and faithful planning.
(Note: This article is a summary of a 6-month discussion about Kingdom Innovation between Jon Hirst and Dr. J.D. Payne that has been documented in a series of six videos available at .)
What really happens when you add the word “kingdom” to a common practice? Does crowning it a kingdom activity somehow make it more holy or righteous simply through its classification? If a kingdom activity is to be truly different, it can’t simply be a matter of what it is called.
But what makes something a “kingdom something”? Are there certain characteristics or practices that set it apart?
We believe there are. And by understanding these characteristics, we can approach our work in that area in a way that aligns us with God and his great mission.
Three things come to mind.
First, kingdom work has a clear understanding of the mission at hand. Chris Wright describes mission as “Our committed participation as God’s people, at God’s invitation and command, in God’s own mission within the history of God’s world for the redemption of God’s creation.”
Second, kingdom work is defined by holy living. It is not enough to do the right thing; kingdom work requires that we do the right thing for the right reasons.
Third, kingdom work is propelled by the Spirit. We cannot do kingdom work without the Holy Spirit’s power and provision.
This is why grace is so critical. We cannot perform to the standards of kingdom activities. Instead, we must submit our desire to be on mission and our commitment to holy living in submission to the Holy Spirit’s power.
Over the past six months we have been on a journey to explore the concept of “Kingdom Innovation.” …