Jesus talked about the Kingdom of Heaven a great deal during His ministry. To illustrate what it was like, He used figurative language and imagery. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed….” “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field….” “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant….” All of these devices communicate that there is something ineffable about God’s kingdom. It operates in unsearchable ways, so Jesus comes at it sideways in order to explain it.
In the same way, as the Church lives out her mission, she finds herself approaching her task sideways. Darkness and sin still fill the world, making Christian life difficult. Only when the King returns will the kingdom be recognizable. Until then, we, the Church, pray for God to reveal to us glimpses of the kingdom so that we may continue to seek it.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV).
Over the past year, God gave and continues to give a glimpse into His plan for the kingdom.
The saints at Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago (on Meade and Wrightwood avenues) were seeking God’s will for their congregation. They knew that they could not maintain the property they owned any longer, but they did not know what to do with it. They prayed that God would make use of the school building and sanctuary that, after many years of faithful service and witness, were mostly empty.
Meanwhile, the saints at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights were beginning a new season in their life together. In seeking God’s will, they found they had a firm conviction: “The kingdom of God demands a thriving kingdom outpost in every community, neighborhood, village, and town in Northern Illinois.” This vision, in addition to some of their members’ love and affection for the city, led them to make a goal to begin ten new ministry projects in the city.
“Our vision would be to help start or restart thriving Word and sacrament ministries all across the Chicagoland region so that it can be reclaimed for the Gospel and the Kingdom. We feel called by God to live not just for ourselves out here in Arlington Heights, but for the Kingdom across the region, and even across the world,” said Senior Pastor Micah Greiner.
This vision met with opportunity. Through conversations around the District, St. Peter learned that Trinity was looking for a way that God could continue to use their facility. Members of St. Peter, Trinity, and the District met together to see what God might be calling them to do there. “We were convinced that there was one last good try with that space and in that place,” said Pastor Greiner.
It was a very challenging, distressing time for the members of Trinity, but this hope—that the mission of sharing Jesus’ love with the community could continue— helped them to see God’s plan at work in the midst of their grief.
The Northern Illinois District walked alongside the congregation over a period of three years during this time. Rev. John Prohl, a member of District staff, offered counsel and aid to the five faithful women who worked to maintain the congregation. “They needed to be assured because they were asking questions like, ‘Have we done our duty? Are we giving up? Have we been good stewards?’ Yes, it was good and honorable what they did. Though the form of the vision of [ministry] might look different, the purpose is not different. The church had been there all those years to share the love of Jesus, and that’s what St. Peter is going to do. They were all on board for new ways of sharing Jesus.” The District served fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, helping them discern and embrace God’s plan for Trinity in the Kingdom.
What the ministry there might look like has not yet been determined, but several options are being weighed and prayed about. Ministry to families and their children has been important to St. Peter since its founding by seven families in 1860. Childcare may be a way that they are able to serve the surrounding Belmont/Cragin neighborhood. Other possibilities might be sports programs utilizing the gymnasium or renting the sanctuary space to other Christian groups.
With eyes fixed on Christ and the future, seeking first His kingdom, St. Peter has partnered with the Northern Illinois District and Chicagoland Lutheran Education Foundation (CLEF) in their efforts to revive ministry in the city. The District awarded an endowment grant of $12,000, matched by CLEF.
May God continue to reveal His plan to advance His Kingdom. May we rejoice knowing that He works all things for good for those who love Him, who have been called to His purpose.