Member-only story
What Do People Mean When They Say “Kingdom Culture”?
Kingdom Culture = Dominant culture
I am not a very expressive person.
My friends often joke about how they have never seen me burst out in laughter. When everyone is commenting on moments, cracking jokes, and laughing out loud together, I just enjoy observing others’ reactions to the scene with a grin on my face.
I don’t dislike expression; I just enjoy watching others react, and loud expressions are not my natural response.
This translates into worship at church. I love seeing the different expressions of the people around me. I don’t require others to quiet down or take a more solemn approach to worship. I enjoy just sitting, reflecting, processing, and giving thanks to God silently.
When Korean American culture meets “kingdom culture”
One day during worship, one of the leaders pulled me aside and asked, “Why aren’t you engaging in worship?” It wasn’t a question of better understanding how I express or how I encounter God; it was out of concern to see if I was capable of leading others in the faith.
Their thought was if he doesn’t regularly connect with God in worship, how can he lead people?
