In class today we discussed what our case studies would look like if we were to incorporate a Trinitarian perspective on mission and then we compared that to how our case studies would look if we were to have a kingdom perspective on mission. After our discussion I had a difficult time distinguishing the difference between the two perspectives. They both seem to seek to attain the same ideas, they just use different language to describe their methods. For example, the Trinitarian perspective seeks “inclusion” while the kingdom perspective seeks “hospitality.” These are the same basic idea. Further examples include: “peacemaking/rehabilitation” vs. “love for enemies/healing activities”; “speaking prophetically and listening” vs. “announcing/denouncing”; and “mutuality/communion in mission” vs. “egalitarian community/generosity.” Both perspectives have valuable ideas for my church plant idea. In order for my new church to be a Godly, Christ-like, fruitful, serving, community we will need to live as people passionately committed to the kingdom and Trinitarian ideas. However, beneath both of these ideas lies one thing: love. Both the Trinitarian and the kingdom perspective on mission give us different descriptions of how to consciously seek to act out love individually, communally, and systemically. To love humans in this threefold way is difficult. However, love is powerful. And so is God. Therefore we should not only try our hardest to live and love in this way, but we should expect it from ourselves and from our churches.

Advertisement