Theme for the week - The Rule of God

A couple of weeks ago we had our Regional Conference. A big part of the day was spent discussing how to be missional. In the group I was part of we talked a lot about “building the Kingdom of God”. We all agreed that being missional was about building the kingdom or rule of God. But there was a huge difference of opinion around what exactly is the kingdom.  For some the kingdom equals the church, and building the kingdom means getting people to come to and to be part of church. This is not the understanding of the kingdom we read about in today’s readings.

In Amos we hear the reluctant prophet denounce his society for the priority of those with wealth to attain more wealth at the experience of everyone else, and as a result its unjust treatment of the poor. In a week where welfare reforms are being instituted to save money with seeming little thought to the cost to the children of those involved, I wonder what Amos would say to us? The kingdom of God for Amos is when the poor are treated well and with respect, treated as God’s people, and not as a means to attain greater wealth. If we are missional, how might we work towards this kingdom?

For the writer to the Colossians (which might or might not be Paul) the rule of God through Christ is over all principalities and powers. It trumps Caesar (a very big call) and all the angels. God’s rule is found in Christ’s way of love. The church is the vehicle by which God will fill the universe  with love and goodness, will remind creation that we are all created by and in God to dwell in God’s peace, justice and goodness. The kingdom or rule of God is well beyond the church. We as the church are simply a significant means by which God’s rule is coming to pass in this world.

As we read these readings, what do they teach us about the rule or kingdom of God? What role do we at St. Georges, as part of God’s church, play in announcing the good news of the rule of God in this place? How might we live out God’s peace, justice and goodness?