:: Kingdom Protocol

I am glad the way God does life is not like the norm of how humanity does life. I heard a story this morning about a complaint in the community of Christ followers in the first century. It went something like this "Your not taking care of our widows, what kind of community is this?" The people had an issue with those who were running the show.

There were twelve guys in charge. They could have taken a poll. Who among you has experience in managing a non-profit organization?, check here. Who has had some experience as an administrator of a food bank?, check here. If you have a degree in management, then check here. This is how humanity might have done it. Or these twelve guys might have said "you know George, he's not doing anything right now, lets appoint him to do it. Or maybe they would have said "This is a crummy little job, we don't want to waste any of our major contributors on this. Make sure someone of no consequence gets this duty."

But Gods ways were different. Taking care of widows was important to Him. There were three qualifications. Put seven men over this task with a good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom. Then there is a list of seven men who were recommended. These guys were not the little people of the community. They were people who were known, yet they were willing to serve. I like that God is really into people willing to serve. He is not too impressed with people who are impressed with themselves.

Serving God and others is the protocol of the kingdom. It so flies in the face of the realities of our culture. In our culture it is all about me, myself, and I. Those who have committed to follow Jesus wrestle with this also. Sometimes our churches become a place that "I" can get better, a place where "I" like the worship style, a place that "I" have to be fed. The emerging church is one of a faceless generation. They are not plastering their picture upon the face of the earth, but are engaged in making only one face shine. They are putting the face of Jesus before the world. That's the focus of the community of faith I want to be involved in.