We just had a staff conference in Dallas. We had an amazing speaker from the Newcastle, Australia YWAM base. One of the things he opened my eyes to was how in ministry we so often reverse the logic of the Kingdom, reverting it to the way the world is structured. The world's model is self-serving, and only exists to protect an organization, not people. God's Kingdom works the other way around, showing an almost lack of regard for the organization, but intense desire for relationship with the individual. Our speaker showed it to us like this. In our Churches and ministries, we want people first to behave correctly, then believe the same things we do, then we'll let them belong. Until such a time as they either don't believe anymore, or their behavior is out of line. Behave. Believe. Belong.

God's Kingdom though, works the complete other way around.

Belong.
Believe.
Behave.

What a revelation. This is exactly how the Kingdom works. Look at the thief next to Yeshua on the cross. Here Yeshua exemplifies this. Yeshua told him that he belongs. There isn't even room for the man to believe or behave yet. Just belong.

Let us all model this in our own lives, and in the ministries we serve.

Shalom.