20 Contrasts Between the Box Church and the Kingdom-Centered Church

13. The box church focuses on bringing the community into a building. The kingdom-centered church focuses on sending the saints to serve their city.

14. In the box church the gifts of the Spirit operate on Sunday. In the kingdom-centered church the gifts of the Spirit operate every day. 

15. In the box church our purpose began when we were born again. In the kingdom-centered church our purpose was evident immediately after physical birth. God’s purpose for us was in motion even before we were saved since He anoints and sanctifies our God-given natural gifts, talents and past worldly experience to advance His kingdom.

16. In the box church people come to be entertained. In the kingdom-centered church people come to be equipped.  

17. In the box church the lead pastor is called to shepherd a congregation. In the kingdom-centered church the lead pastor is called to shepherd a community. 

18. The box church is mystical. The kingdom-centered church is spiritual. The biblical use of the word “spiritual” does not necessarily mean thinking of spiritual things—but it has to do with having power over your flesh to be a witness of Christ on the earth. Hence, mysticism and biblical spirituality imply two different things; mysticism implies spirituality with no practical application to the earth while true spirituality empowers us to deal with earthly realities.

19. In the box church believers come to escape their problems. In the kingdom-centered church they learn how to become problem solvers 

20. In the box church people passively wait to be caught up into heaven. In the kingdom-centered church, we bring heaven down to the earth. Jesus told us to pray for His kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:10). He prayed that we would not be taken out of the world (John 17:15). He told us to occupy or engage in business until He comes (Luke 19:13).

Joseph Mattera is overseeing bishop of Resurrection Church and Christ Covenant Coalition in Brooklyn, N.Y. Visit him at josephmattera.org.