What does the fullness of the Kingdom look like?

Frontier Ventures' Winter Launch Lab recently hosted Thy Kingdom Come, a two-day (March 28-29) academic-activist conference considering the questions, "What does the fullness of the Kingdom look like?" and "What brings true lasting societal transformation?" We had fourteen plenary speakers, ranging from Bible scholars and seminary professors to medical professionals and field practitioners. In their talks they explored what it means to participate with God as He brings His Kingdom.

Participants were then asked to reflect on the talks by relating them to four general views of the church's role in society. These table-talk discussions, plus sessions of prayer and worship, gave space for attendees to process the day's content spiritually, relationally, and comparatively with others' viewpoints.

Our hope is that the variety of perspectives on societal transformation and fullness of the kingdom would continue to generate fresh conversation and passion to participate with God in each of our contexts.

We want the conference to be a launch pad for fresh ways of thinking, living, and praying together, "Thy Kingdom come…" So please join us in the conversation. Let us know how you were challenged or inspired to new ways of participating with God as He brings His Kingdom. For a refresher and helpful introduction to the conference topic, we are sharing the first presentation at Thy Kingdom Come.

Todd Pokrifka opened up the conference with his talk titled, "Towards a Theology of Social Change and Development." We think he introduces some helpful ways of thinking about the fullness of the kingdom and our call to join God in the world. Have a listen here and then let us know what you think.

Todd Pokrifka is co-director, with his wife Junia, of Commission Training, a community-based, holistic mission training ministry of Frontier Ventures. He leads an effort to develop innovative BA-level academic curricula and programming in Community Development. Todd is also a founder and director of Phos Ministries, a non-profit organization devoted to holistic ministry among Southeast Asians both in Southeast Asia and in diaspora communities in the US. Todd is also a theologian (Ph.D. in Theology from the University of St Andrews, Scotland), with ongoing research interests in theological method, pneumatology, and the relationship of Christian witness to world religions and social change.

A special thanks to our co-sponsors: Frontier Ventures, WCIU, Ekballo Pasadena, Epicenter Church, SoCal SSM, and Frontier Church.