The following are the articles and stories from the November 2025 MIT Monthly newsletter. If you would like to sign up to receive this newsletter from the Missional Initiatives Team, you can fill out this form.
From Empire to Kingdom
Rubbish . . . or Worse
By Cam Roxburgh, VP of Missional Initiatives
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. (Philippians 3:10 NIV)
Our church is currently in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Recently, while “dwelling in the Word” in Acts 16 (Paul’s vision and subsequent change of direction, plans, and strategy), I was in awe of the love he had for this community of hope he started in Philippi. He is also clear in his call to a higher level of commitment to a life completely in, for, and with Christ. He is moving from “Our Agency to God’s” and from “Empire to Kingdom.” I need to pay attention.
Philippians 3 is so well known. I have previously read the first part of the text and felt a level of pride that I can boast of a list like Paul’s.
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. (vv. 4–6)
I was born into a Christian family. My grandmother was a church planter in Africa in the 1920s, and my grandfather was part of starting the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and many other Christian endeavours. My dad was a well known pastor, teacher, and conference speaker. I never rebelled. I went to the best schools – Wheaton, Trinity, Fuller – and had some of the most widely recognized teachers. I worked hard and started several Christian organizations and churches and developed networks of some of the most well-known thinkers, writers, and teachers around. Everything I did seemed to be for Christ and His Kingdom.
And then we get to verse 7. “But It is all rubbish. Or worse!” (paraphrased).
Paul suggests a number of things that caught my attention. First, he advises we pay attention to where we get our value. These “things,” (ways of measuring value) should be considered “loss.”
Pause. Loss?
I’m ok with less relevant, but loss? How is my list loss? It became clear. I have spent much of my life considering that my lineage will somehow make me more acceptable to the Lord – that both he and others will be more pleased with me.
Rubbish! My chasing after “Empire” has kept me from “Kingdom.” Education in itself is not bad, but it does have potential to lure me away from that which is most important. It can seduce me into putting all my trust in something or someone less than what God intended.
Secondly, verse 8 takes a step further. Paul states that the value of such worldly things is in question, but also the possession of them needs to be relinquished. He has “lost all things” for the sake of Christ. What does this mean? How do you get rid of your history? How do you put away your degrees or accomplishments? I know how to exegete the text as others do and I am aware of what many commentators say. I wanted more than an intellectual answer. As I began to reflect, I became aware of how I rely on my accomplishments and reputation, my education and my history to resolve an issue. It seems I have a ways to go in relying on the agency of God.
This morning, I was dwelling in Exodus 16 with a group of leader, and my attention was drawn to how Moses accomplished what he did. He was not incompetent, nor afraid to work hard. But everything he did was what the Lord had asked of him. He did what he heard God say. So much of what I have done over the years in leadership was and still is done out of the “things” I have picked up along the way. What would it take to have the boldness and confidence to do only what God asked?
Thirdly, and finally, in this brief look at Philippians 3, Paul shares with us not just what we have to “put down” but what we have to “pick up.” He has encouraged us to put down our thinking that the things of the world give us value and then to literally put down the use of these “things.” Then, in verse 9, he tells us to “pick up” faith. This is not a wishful thinking for the future but a very present action. It is taking the step of obedience in all areas of life. Our value and our fruitfulness come not from “Empire” but rather from Christ and his Kingdom. We receive and live in the righteousness of Christ.
There is much more in the text, but these three things have helped me to be reminded of the reality that I no longer live in the “Empire,” but rather as a citizen of his Kingdom.
A Local Story
Is the Gospel Narrow-Minded?
By Deb Judas, Missional Initiatives Team
I have two friends in my neighbourhood I regularly hang out with. We belong to the same tennis club; we walk and have coffees and dinners together. And we have deep and meaningful conversations. Always.
One of them was raised in a Mennonite pastor’s family and in recent years has become quite liberal in her thinking, with little use for the church. The other was raised in the United Church but has not attended church since she was a child. Both are extremely giving people, always looking to help others, and very generous and hospitable.
Whenever we get together, within a very short time, the conversation usually turns to religion and faith. I never have to bring this up; they always do. Recently, we were talking about various faiths and what each one had to offer the world. Eventually it came out that they felt “born again” Christians are extremely narrow-minded. To think that the only way to God is through Jesus was utterly absurd.
As they were talking, I was becoming more and more uncomfortable. They know I am a Christian. They know I am a pastor. As I was trying to collect my thoughts and come up with something to say, they turned to me and asked, “Do YOU believe Jesus is the only way to God?”
I responded with “Yes. Do you think I’m narrow minded?” They immediately answered, “No, YOU’RE not narrow-minded at all! But believing that Jesus is the only way to God is narrow-minded.”
How was I supposed to receive that?!
How do you respond to someone who does not really care what the Bible has to say, not only because they feel it is an antiquated document but are also quite secure in their beliefs. The fact that they are good, kind-hearted people who love to serve others is enough.
The conversation has been bothering me for a few weeks now. I want to circle back and set them straight. I’m also a little intimidated to bring it up again. But today, on a Zoom call with the Year of Equipping students, two things were said that I found especially helpful. At the very least, it lifted the burden I’d been carrying—the feeling that I needed to straighten out my friends’ theology and beliefs.
First, people who don’t know or follow Jesus are often unsure about Jesus being Lord. But they love the idea of working together to create a world where everyone has enough and no one needs to be afraid.
Second, for those who struggle with the deity of Jesus, our task isn’t to convince them. We simply introduce them to Jesus the man and the Spirit will lead them to his divinity.
I share this with you because I sincerely believe God is up to something good in these two women. They have now made a bold statement about what they think of my faith and relationship with God.
My response will be to continue to point them to who Jesus is and what he was about, and the Holy Spirit will take it from there.