Evolving Church Practices and Community Connections

In this episode, we reflect on a recent gathering of denominational leaders where we shared our vision for Brave Cities and the idea of a Kingdom ecosystem. We discuss the challenges of church planting models that focus primarily on gathering people rather than transforming communities, and we wrestle with what it truly means to live out the kingdom of God.

Key Themes & Topics:

• Reflections on presenting Brave Cities at a denominational gathering
• The tension between traditional church models and a Kingdom ecosystem
• The role of the poor in shaping a true kingdom expression
• The difference between preaching the king vs. demonstrating the kingdom
• How church planting strategies often prioritize wealthier areas over marginalized communities
• Why leading with the kingdom may be the most transformative approach
• Wrestling with the reality that many church innovations are just new ways to gather people, rather than new ways to be the church

"We’re not critiquing just to be contrarian. We’re asking—how do we actually help the poor? How do we build cities of refuge for the hurting?"