Claiming the Corner
Becoming a Kingdom Impact Church Jesus’ Way
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In Matthew 13, we find six tools to help us assess the effectiveness of our congregations in making impact in the world. So often when we imagine making Kingdom Impact, we just think about evangelism; we get scared and feel guilty, and then finally, we become ineffective. We get stuck, because we have this unfocused image, a blurry vision, of what the impact of the Kingdom really means. Imagine instead that Jesus' Kingdom Parables in Matthew 13 are like that remarkable device your optometrist swings in front of your face -- the one that looks like a set of binoculars for an elephant! You are asked to look through the lenses at the word chart on the opposite wall. Then, one by one, the optometrist flips a series of lenses over your eyes to correct what you see. As they do, the image improves. As my optometrist flips the lenses, he says, "How does that look?... How about now?.... And, now?" That is how these Kingdom Parables can work for you, for any church leader, or any church member, who wants to see their church make greater Kingdom Impact. At some point you are going to say, "There, that's clear. I see it!" That is when you know God has brought his call for you into focus.
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About the Book
Have you ever wondered what Jesus wants your church to do? It can be disorienting to sort through the many ministry models available today, as well as the ever-present cultural expectation to grow. Claiming the Corner looks to Jesus’ own teaching for how to make impact for the Kingdom of God.
Each chapter focuses on one of the six Kingdom parables of Jesus in Matthew 13, interpreting them as instructions on serving and working Jesus’ way. Discussion questions are included, as well as examples of diverse congregations that are fulfilling each parable in unique and creative ways. Join the Kingdom Impact Jesus’ Way community at www.claimingthecorner.net and on Facebook.
If your call is to grow the Kingdom of God, serve sacrificially, and push the boundaries for discipleship in Jesus Christ, you need to read this book – cover to cover – with your entire leadership team. Pastor Mark dares to re-examine the Kingdom parables of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 13 through the missional lens of leaving your church walls. You will be challenged. You will be stretched. And you will be blessed as the Holy Spirit moves through your ministry to the dark corners in your community. Fasten your seatbelt for real Kingdom Impact!
—Pastor Brian Goke, Faith Lutheran Church,
Bloomington, Illinois
About the Author
Mark Schoenhals has been in church ministry for over 25 years, with experience from youth ministry to lead pastor, in churches as large as 6000 and as small as 150. Mark lives and ministers in Peoria, Illinois, with his wife and three daughters.