The Role of a Kingdom Partner

I believe every one of us can and should be a Kingdom Partner. But what does that mean?

Here at New Covenant, Pastor Bob preached a few weeks ago that our mission is to be a disciple making church. According to Matthew 28, this is not just limited to New Covenant or Cedar Rapids. It is a mandate to make disciples of all people groups. A Kingdom Partner is someone who is an active participant in making disciples of all people groups.

It is important that you realize that this is not the job of just a few. This is not something for just the 19 missionaries we support or our church equipping staff. Your involvement is not optional. Jesus’ command was to all of us.

Your specific role as a Kingdom Partner will depend on the gifts and abilities God has entrusted to you. Let me use an analogy. Jesus sometimes used a field ready for harvest as a metaphor for the work we must do (Matthew 9:35-38). We might be tempted to think solely of the one who goes out and brings in the harvest from the field. While this is true to a certain degree in our personal life, Paul expands the metaphor and helps us to see that in terms of the Kingdom, those who plant and those who water are equally important (1 Corinthians 3:5-9).

If you actively pray for those on your bookmark, you are a Kingdom Partner. If you financially support a missionary, you are a Kingdom Partner. If you invite someone to New Covenant who does not know Christ, you are a Kingdom Partner. If you regularly write or email a missionary, you are a Kingdom Partner. If you participate on a short term mission trip, you are a Kingdom Partner. If you give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name, you are a Kingdom Partner.

May God grant you the courage and the boldness to act boldly for the Kingdom this week.