In our shared way of life at Open Church, we emphasize three core postures: Following Jesus, Spiritual Transformation, and Seeking the Kingdom. Cultivating a posture of seeking the Kingdom is central to how we engage the world around us. It’s not just a mindset; it’s a way of living that shapes our everyday actions and interactions. Through this posture, we intentionally look for signs of God's Kingdom breaking into our broken world, and we work to nurture those moments—whether it’s through acts of justice, compassion, or community.
Our shared rhythms help us to live this out. Sabbath reminds us to stop and reflect, trusting in God’s control rather than striving to accomplish everything ourselves. In this rest, we gain the clarity to see where God is at work and how we can join in. Prayer forms in us a heart aligned with God's will, helping us discern how to act in ways that make the Kingdom more tangible. Gathering together encourages us to bear one another's burdens and recognize the Kingdom in our communal life, where love, vulnerability, and authenticity thrive. By sharing our resources and serving, we actively participate in God’s economy of abundance, resisting the world’s pull toward self-sufficiency and individualism.
Seeking the Kingdom means that we strive to see the world through the lens of Jesus, whose life and ministry revealed the upside-down nature of God’s reign—a place where the last are first, the meek are powerful, and those who mourn are comforted. It’s a call to live counter-culturally, embodying practices of hospitality, generosity, and justice. As we grow in spiritual transformation, the more natural it becomes for us to nurture Kingdom values in our everyday lives.
Let us continue to engage these rhythms and practices, leaning into God's transformative work within us so that we can make God's Kingdom more tangible in our communities. Together, we seek the Kingdom in everything we do, from the quiet moments of prayer to the bold acts of justice and love. This is the life we are called to—rooted in love, equipped to serve, and sent to transform.
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