prioritizing kingdom impact

The church must intentionally, explicitly, and consistently align itself with the reign, rule, and will of God, always praying and practicing, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Throughout its history, the A.M.E. Church has demonstrated a commitment to the Kingdom by making disciples of Jesus Christ worldwide, emphasizing the centrality of love, justice, and liberation in the Gospel, and ministering to the whole person.

However, we can do better. I've witnessed passionate discussions within AME circles about issues that lack Kingdom significance. To elevate the denomination, we must prioritize matters and initiatives that have meaningful Kingdom impact over tangential issues. Our time, energy, and resources are limited, and every effort that is not Kingdom-related diminishes our ability to fully devote ourselves to Kingdom building. Our focus must be on nurturing disciples toward deeper, transformative relationships with the Lord, while practicing and promoting the liberating love, justice and mercy of Christ in tangible ways that change the world. We must exercise discernment to distinguish between Kingdom building and institution building. While the two will often align, we need the courage and spiritual integrity to choose the Kingdom when they do not.