In wrapping up our message series through the book of Titus, Pastor Joe Valenti said that churches come in many forms throughout the world, but we can broadly categorize them into two general types: Kingdom Consumer churches and Kingdom Catalyst churches.
Joe said, “Some churches exist to hold on to what they’ve built.” That’s the Kingdom Consumer church.
He pointed out that churches that exist to hold on to what they’ve build are typically led by leaders and are filled with people who are Kingdom consumers. They are primarily concerned about comfort – what can the church do for me, serve me, care for me, provide for my spiritual appetites, play the music just the way I would like it played, pander to my political preferences, and never ask me to do too much.
Joe continued, “Other churches exist to give away what they’ve been given.” That’s the Kingdom Catalyst church.
Joe said, “Churches that truly exist to give away what they’ve been given are filled with leaders and people who have a passion to be Kingdom catalysts.
Catalysts are people who speed along meaningful change. Kingdom catalysts take the Great Commission seriously and are willing to sacrifice their own comfort and preference in deference to gospel movement.”
What determines what kind of church we are is what types of people make up our church. So, what type of person are you?
A Kingdom Consumer or Kingdom Catalyst Self-Assessment:
Rate yourself from 1–10. 1 = This is rarely true of me. 10 = This is consistently true of me. Don’t rate yourself according to what you wish were true of you. Rate yourself according to what your recent behavior reveals about you.
- ___ I regularly give my time to Kingdom work, even when doing so costs me time I would rather spend on myself.
- ___ I give to God first and order my spending around the conviction that everything I have ultimately belongs to Him.
- ___ When someone asks me to serve, give, or step into something uncomfortable, my first response is readiness rather than resistance.
- ___ I can identify a specific need in my church right now that I am actively helping meet—not simply a need I know about.
- ___ When my church calls me to go—to launch something new, serve in a new way, or enter a season that costs me comfort or convenience—I respond with readiness rather than resistance.
- ___ I regularly ask, “What does my church need from me?” rather than primarily asking, “What does my church do for me?”
- ___ I willingly give my time, money, energy, and abilities in ways that actually cost me something because I want to see the gospel advance.
- ___ I look for opportunities to serve and contribute without waiting to be asked—or asked again.
- ___ When I see a Kingdom opportunity or need, my instinct is to ask, “How can I help?” rather than “I hope someone else takes care of it.”
- ___ I am willing to say, “Here am I! Send me,” when God opens an opportunity for me to participate in His mission.
Where did you score highest? Thank God for His grace!
Where did you score lowest? Ask God to help you grow in that area.
What is God saying to you about next steps you should take?
Who can help you take those next steps?
Remember a consumer asks, “What does this church do for me?” A catalyst asks, “What does this church need from me?” A consumer gives what is left over. A catalyst gives what actually costs something. A consumer waits to be asked. A catalyst sees the need and moves toward it.
