INTRODUCTION

THOUGHTS ON KINGDOM CULTURE

JOHN MACDONALD, LEAD PASTOR, THE WOODS CHURCH

Every culture carries with it a set of values, priorities, and practices that shape how people live. Whether it’s the culture of a nation, a workplace, or even a sports team, culture defines the atmosphere, the expectations, and the way things are done. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to live in and carry a very different kind of culture: the culture of the Kingdom of God. This Kingdom is not defined by trends, traditions, or the shifting opinions of society. It’s rooted in Christ Himself, revealed in His Word, and made visible through His people living Spirit-filled lives.

This is what makes the church distinct. Strategies, styles, and structures may shift with time and culture, but the heartbeat of the church–its values, its principles, and the fruit of the Spirit–must always reflect the early church and the heart of Jesus Himself. That’s what Kingdom culture is about.

When Jesus began His ministry, He didn’t launch a program or erect a building. He started with people. Ordinary people. He called twelve men to follow Him: not the brightest minds, not the most accomplished, not the “spiritual elite.” He didn’t recruit from the rabbinical schools or choose those with impressive résumés. Instead, He went to the fishing boats, the tax booth, and the streets. He called the overlooked, the unqualified, and the underestimated.

And that’s good news for us. Because if Jesus chose ordinary men and women to carry His Kingdom, then there is hope for every one of us. The invitation He gave to Peter, Andrew, James, John, and the rest is the same invitation He gives today: “Come, follow Me.”

This invitation isn’t casual. It’s not about self-help or adding a little inspiration to your week. It is a radical call to reorient everything around Jesus. To follow Jesus is to step into a new reality: a Kingdom reality. It means leaving behind old patterns of living and embracing a new way of life under the authority of the King.

Those first disciples who said yes to His call quickly realized that Jesus wasn’t like anyone they had ever met. His words carried authority. His miracles revealed power over sickness, storms, and even spiritual darkness. His presence radiated mercy and truth.

He didn’t just bring new teachings; He carried with Him the culture of another world. In His presence, the broken found healing, the guilty found forgiveness, and the oppressed found freedom. He carried the very atmosphere of heaven.

When Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the water, he wasn’t just experiencing a miracle; he was stepping into that Kingdom reality. The boat represented the old way: the safe, predictable, earthly reality everyone knew. But Jesus was standing in a place no one had ever stood before, inviting Peter to join Him. That moment was a doorway into a whole new way of living: one defined not by fear or human reasoning, but by the authority of Jesus’ word.

And that is still what Kingdom culture looks like today. It’s choosing to live by the realities of heaven rather than the limitations of earth. It’s stepping into a life where storms, sickness, sin, and even death itself must bow to the authority of the King.

This is why the contrast between worldly culture and Kingdom culture is so important. Worldly culture roots identity in performance, possessions, and popularity. Kingdom culture roots identity in Christ: we are chosen, loved, and called (1 Peter 2:9; Galatians 2:20).

In worldly culture, leadership is about power and control. In Kingdom culture, leadership is about humility and servanthood (Mark 10:43–45). Worldly culture seeks self-comfort and temporary gain, but Kingdom culture seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Worldly culture cancels, excludes, and divides. Kingdom culture forgives, reconciles, and unites (John 13:34–35). Worldly culture says, “Live for yourself. Follow your heart. Build your own kingdom.” But Kingdom culture says, “Deny yourself. Follow Jesus. Build His Kingdom.”

The difference couldn’t be clearer. And when Jesus calls us, He calls us to drop our nets, leave the old way of life, and step fully into His Kingdom. Let’s go!