Jesus never built an empire. He healed the broken, welcomed the outcast, confronted the powerful, and loved the world—without trying to rule it.
The church as been it’s best when following Jesus’ example. The church has been its worst when it has followed worldly wisdom to accomplish its goals. The contrast couldn’t be more obvious:
- Cared for the marginalize rather than seeking wealth and power for itself.
- Engaged in acts of service rather than seeking military, legislative, or economic power to bring about change.
- Honoring each person’s freedom to believe, inviting people to follow rather than using coercion to bring others into compliance.
- Treated everyone as a neighbor worthy of love, not being intolerant and establishing an us -vs- them dynamic.
The Temptation to Rule
The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. — Mark 10:45
The desire for control isn’t new temptation for the christians. Jesus’ disciples argued about who would be the greatest (Luke 22:24–27). They expected Jesus to take political power—but he refused it, choosing the cross over the throne.
The church often slips into power-seeking, confusing dominance with faithfulness which has diluted the church’s witness. Tom Holland’s book Dominion documents several of these moments through history. To call out a few:
- Constantine’s conversion (AD 312) gave Christians legal status, which ended persecution—but within decades, the church became entangled with empire.
- The Crusades (11th–13th centuries) were born from a belief that God’s kingdom could be advanced by force, causing massive harm.
- The Spanish Inquisition (1478–1834) Under the guise of protecting orthodoxy, the Catholic Church—especially in Spain—used torture, coercion, and execution to force conversions and root out heresy. This abuse of spiritual authority in partnership with the monarchy became a terrifying symbol of religious control.
- State Churches in Europe After the Reformation, many Protestant nations established state churches (e.g., Church of England, Lutheran state churches in Scandinavia), where citizenship and church membership were linked. This often led to forced baptisms, religious conformity, and persecution of dissenters—blending national identity with Christian faith in a way that eroded both.
- In the colonial era, missionary efforts were too often fused with conquest, leading to cultural erasure and exploitation.
Tim Alberta’s book The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory describes how the modern evangelical church has made the same error.
What Real Change Looks Like
He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor… — Luke 4:18
Jesus changed the world without armies or policies. He loved people. Told stories. Restored dignity. He lifted the lowly and called the powerful to repentance.
The early church followed his way:
- In Acts 2–4, believers shared everything in common, ensuring no one was in need.
- The early church cared for widows and orphans, risking their lives during plagues to tend to the sick—often when even pagan physicians fled.
- Their radical love and nonviolence led Tertullian to write: “See how they love one another!”
In three centuries, the followers of Jesus went from a persecuted minority to a dominion force. What is truly striking is not its rise to power, but how it radically transformed cultural norms. This was not accomplished by instituting policies but by their example. Before the christians came onto the scene, greek and roman culture didn’t have the concept of caring for the marginalized or recognizing inherent human rights. These ideas, now taken for granted, were revolutionary—and rooted in Jesus’ example.
Real change comes not through legislation, conquest or empires, but through acts of love and faithfulness, from compassion.
Love Over Leverage
God’s kindness leads us to repentance. — Romans 2:4
Let all that you do be done in love. — 1 Corinthians 16:14
Let your light shine… that they may see your good deeds. — Matthew 5:16
Power pressures and manipulates. Love transforms. Jesus loved people before demanding change. Jesus didn’t coerce belief. He invited people into truth. He loved before they repented (Luke 19:1–10). He offered healing before demanding loyalty. Leverage might win a battle—but love wins hearts.
The most powerful message is a life of quiet, consistent service. A few examples of people whose lives illustrate this:
- St. Francis of Assisi gave up wealth to live among the poor, care for lepers, and embody the simplicity and peace of Christ
- Elizabeth Fry who reformed prison conditions in England through consistent, compassionate presence.
- George Müller cared for thousands of orphans in England through prayer, faith, and quiet perseverance—never asking directly for funds.
- Mother Teresa built trust and influence by simply serving the most forgotten.
- Dorothy Day practiced gospel-centered hospitality among the poor during the Great Depression
- John Perkins who worked for reconciliation, education, and racial justice
A Different Kind of Influence
Do not conform… but be transformed. — Romans 12:2
Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.— Micah 6
We’re not called to rule the world. We’re called to love it—faithfully, humbly, and fearlessly. That’s how we really change it. Christians are called to reflect a kingdom not of this world. The church doesn’t need more power. It needs more presence.
- Be a creative minority — distinct, faithful, hopeful
- Invest locally — serve neighbors, build trust
- Influence by embodied example, not loud opinion
Love this Mark. I think we are reading all of the same books right now 🙂
It is so hard to give up something once you grow accustomed to it. The early church, along with the present day church in traditionally non-Christian spaces, had now expectation of power and influence. There is not a page of the NT that works from the assumption of power or control.
This is a silly example, but when I describe to my kids a pre-internet era they are confused. They aren’t repulsed, in fact they are intrigued. However, they can’t really comprehend the possibility. American Christians imagining themselves divested from power and preference have the same challenge. We may find the idea interesting or evening compelling, but imagining the reality stretches our ability to dream. We inevitably hit some wall where it doesn’t seem practical or the fear of losing overwhelms the will to try.