This Beautiful Mess: Practicing the Presence of the Kingdom of God

Occasionally a book comes along that you want everyone you know to read, a hopeful, constructive, visionary tome that's imbued with an uncanny ability to incite redemptive creativity and mission. Books like these are rare, a publishing anomaly, read mainly by those who are tired of the self-help pablum that populates the "Christian Living" section at their local bookstore. This growing cadre of discerning readers must have been blinking on Rick McKinley's literary radar when he sat down to write This Beautiful Mess: Practicing the Presence of the Kingdom of God. He's clearly speaking to and for a segment of the Church that has enthusiastically latched on to the Jesus of the Gospels. Far from being slick or pretentious, inaccesible or trite, Rick's infectious prose radiates a profound sincerity. He writes like an explorer who's found something of inestimable worth and can't wait to share his discovery with the rest of the world. It's apparent that in Rick's city (Portland, OR) something beautiful has been unearthed, and it's changing the way his church (Imago Dei Community) interacts with God's world. Rick describes this newfound treasure as the kingdom of God and his unbridled enthusiasm for it is contagious.

This is a must read for ANY church that is striving to make an impact on their community and city. Most churches today talk a mean game today about being the 'light of the world' and 'reaching out' but fail miserably when it comes to actually doing it. McKinley's book not only explains the theology behind the Kingdom of God but the practical implications that take place when it is lived out and practiced. The kingdom of God IS a beautiful mess and, unforunately, that is why most churches choose to avoid it--no one wants to get their hands dirty! But to be an active participant in what God is doing we as the church must get our hands dirty--this book is a great inspiration to do just that. My favorite quote from the book: "When we engage these relationships in a way that truly comes alongside to weep with those who weep, we start to taste the kingdom. We taste it in a way that is bitter and sweet all at the same time." (p.159) Beautiful!

It's rare that I read a book in bed until 3:00AM simply because I am invigorated and inspired by the author to such a degree that sleep becomes irrelevant. That's the effect this book had on me. This guy is onto something. So are those he hangs with. They live it. Rick writes, "One of the biggest challenges to following Jesus into His kingdom is not a lack of direction but a lack of desire. Most of us really don't want to do it." (p.50). When you're done with this book, you will be filled with the desire to "move out." Buy This Book! Then act upon what Rick says.

Rick hits the target perfectly. How to make your faith real, but not in a 4 step plan, but in principles that can translate into any age group. He validates his ideas both with scriptures and the real life examples from his church. It's not just theory. It is incarnational truth explained. And God is glorified in the process. Instead of Christians hiding from the world, why not engage it in a way that is meaningful, and honors Christ's gospel. Rick totally gets it.

I just finished This Beautiful Mess, by Rick McKinley. The book is set to come out in a few days, but they had advanced copies available at the Catalyst Conference. I snagged one. I'm glad I did. The book is basically Rick's thoughts on the kingdom, with a heavy dose of real-life experience of kingdom living at his Portland church, Imago Dei. If you enjoyed McLaren's The Secret Messages of Jesus, then you'll love this book. McLaren did a great job of exploring the theology of the kingdom. He opened up some new doors in how we think and view the kingdom. McKinley does a fantastic job of helping the reader live the kingdom. Practically. Incarnationally. Biblically. (And both authors' last names start with 'Mc'. Coincidence? Maybe I should change my name to 'McMoser' and write a book?) This Beautiful Mess is an open, sincere, and passionate look at living life with a kingdom mission. I'd highly recommend it. Rick doesn't take the opportunity to boast about how wonderful his church is. Rather, he simply tries to tell the story of Imago Dei's journey to living with a missional, kingdom perspective. A few quotes, out of context, for your provocation: * "We take the 'Jesus is our Savior' message home like a really good story, but Jesus as King has no place in our lives." * "When I became a Christ follower, the sad truth is that I transferred Christ into my kingdom, into the context of my life." Go buy the book. It will be $12 and a few hours well spent.