Citizen

Rob Peabody

Description

For Rob Peabody, the young pastor of a mega-church in southern USA, the realization that his faith had little real connection with the world around him meant that something had to change. He redirected his church towards the poor on their doorstep and then took the larger step of moving to the UK to establish the missional fellowship 'Awaken'. In Citizen, he outlines the Kingdom-centered identity that is given to followers of Jesus. It a wake-up call to the church in the West. Jesus' death and resurrection initiates and invites people into a life of so much more than the status quo. God is re-building, re-newing, and re-creating that which is broken and marred by sin, and he is doing this, setting things right in the world, through Jesus. As citizens of the Kingdom, we have been saved and set apart for this work. We have a new allegiance, a changed identity, and a new mission as we seek to establish the rule of God on earth as it is in Heaven.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Lion Hudson
• Date de parution: 18 juillet 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780857215437
• Langue: English

Extrait

A splendidly vivid account of what it means to follow Jesus today - ideal for new Christians who have come to faith, perhaps, through one of the many fresh expressions of church that are now springing up. Rob is a wonderful storyteller. This book is a real gift.
- Revd Dr Michael Moynagh, author of Being Church, Doing Life
This book hits the spiritual spot and offers strategies by which every follower can become an agent of change for God s Kingdom come! Don t just read it - live it!
- Major Danielle Strickland, author of The Liberating Truth
We really are citizens of a different Kingdom. It s an upside down kingdom full of wonder, beauty and glorious amazement. Rob captures God s passion for people, communities and the need for unity in the bride of Christ s body. Rob is an authentic Jesus lover - trust me, you will love this book.
- Cris Rogers, speaker, pastor and church visionary, author of The Bible Book by Book
I love this book because it is so inspirational. As you read it you ll be reminded of what it really means to be a citizen of God s Kingdom and the unique part you play in building His Kingdom on the earth.
- Wendy Beech-Ward, Events and Ambassadors Director, Compassion UK
A refreshingly honest, vibrant account of a young man set on living a Gospel-inspired life. He s one of a new breed. Rob s eyeballing the religious infrastructures and comfortable belief-systems of our day, and humbly asserting that there s more, oh so much more, if we would but be brave enough to step into a fresh reality. A Kingdom reality. A call to true Citizenship.
- Tania Bright-Cook, Chair of Love 146 Europe
Anyone who knows Rob knows that he follows Jesus, wherever that leads him. This book could save you from the many dead-ends that can prevent us from embracing true discipleship. Being a citizen of heaven trumps all earthly allegiances and identities, and settling for anything less is missing out on the purpose for which you were created.
- Paul Harcourt, Vicar of All Saints Woodford Wells and New Wine Regional Director for London and East
Citizen points to every person who deeply desires to follow Jesus. Rob brings clear perspectives on what it means to follow Jesus, take risks and live with a unique identity as a citizen of the everlasting Kingdom.
- Chris McFarland, Executive Director, PULSE
With heartfelt stories and sound scriptural truths, Rob shares his journey of rediscovering the Kingdom of God and our role as its citizens. He challenges our erroneous notions of part-time, self-styled Christianity, urging us to offer our full allegiance not to ourselves or to an organization, but to the King.
- Ben Armacost, author of Bridge to the Beautiful City
Will force you to ask questions and confront deeply held ideas about what it is to live in and live for the Kingdom. If you are satisfied and comfortable with your current state of life and faith, then I suggest you put this book down and continue shopping.
- Wes Hamilton, Lead Pastor, Hulen Street Church, Fort Worth, TX
I have enjoyed reading Rob s story and chuckled at his tales of cultural navigation. I identify with his journey and find his thoughts on identity and citizenship both challenging and encouraging. This is not a stay in your comfort zone book. The story for Rob and the Awaken Movement does not finish at the end of this book and I look forward to watching (and collaborating) as it all unfolds further.
- Stu Garrard, One Sonic Society, formerly of Delirious?
This book is counter-cultural. A manifesto. A call to awaken to a global rather than a territorial citizenship. The author - an American citizen - exemplifies this call by exchanging a pulpit in front of thousands at an exalted Texas mega-church for a small inner-city community in London. And yet, in the midst of this seismic culture-shift, finds himself living dreams fully awake, with a heart overflowing with beauty and joy.
- Randy Elrod, CEO and Founder, Creative Community and author of A Renaissance Redneck In A Mega-Church Pulpit and Sex, Lies & Religion
Through biblical exploration, historical survey, and vivid illustration, Rob Peabody paints a picture of what being a citizen of God s kingdom looks like in this world: a citizenship from heaven but radically rooted to earth, as risky in self sacrifice as it is compassionate in tone, a citizenship of humble allegiance to the One who taught radical love of neighbor.
- Sheridan Voysey, writer, speaker, broadcaster, and author of Resurrection Year: Turning Broken Dreams into New Beginnings
About the Author
Rob Peabody serves as the co-founder and director of Awaken, a non-profit charity that exists to resource the church for action. In 2011, Rob, along with his wife, Medea, and their two boys, left his position as lead campus pastor of a megachurch in Texas to pioneer and lead fresh expressions of church seeking to engage unreached 20s and 30s in northeast London. This work is commissioned by the International Mission Board of the SBC and in partnership with the Church of England. Rob currently serves as a missional consultant for multiple church networks in the UK, is a member of the Speaking Team at Spring Harvest, and is charged with casting vision and leading a new upcoming national UK 18-30 s conference, The Pursuit. Beyond speaking at conferences in the US and UK, Rob has also written a small group film series entitled Kingdom Rise , released March 2013.
CITIZEN
Your role in the alternative kingdom
ROB PEABODY

Oxford, UK, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Text copyright 2014 Rob Peabody This edition copyright 2014 Lion Hudson
The right of Rob Peabody to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published by Monarch Books an imprint of Lion Hudson plc Wilkinson House, Jordan Hill Road, Oxford OX2 8DR, England Email: [e-mail] www.lionhudson.com/monarch
ISBN 978 0 85721 542 0 e-ISBN 978 0 85721 543 7
Acknowledgments Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1979, 1984, 2011 Biblica, formerly International Bible Society. All rights reserved. NIV is a registered trademark of Biblica UK trademark number 1448790. Scripture quotations marked The Message taken from The Message. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked AKJV are taken from the American King James Version, produced by Stone Engelbrite and in the public domain. Scripture quotations marked NASB taken from the New American Standard Bible , Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked RSV are from The Revised Standard Version of the Bible copyright 1346, 1952 and 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches in the USA. Used by permission. All Rights Reserved. Quotations designated NET are from the NET Bible copyright 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://bible.org All rights reserved. Scripture quoted by permission.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Cover Design: Andrew Ryan Shepherd
To Medea,
Whom I love with a passion that time only strengthens.
You are my beloved bride and best friend, and there is no one I would rather be on this journey with than you.
Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface: A Citizen s Awakening

1. A Citizen s Identity

2. Citizens, Colonies, and Communities

3. Citizens from All Tribes

4. Citizens, Risk, and the Status Quo

5. A Citizen s Allegiance

6. A Citizen s Choices

7. Part-time Citizens

8. Citizens as Ambassadors

Benediction: A Sending Prayer
Acknowledgments

This book was not written alone. The words within it represent experiences, conversations, ideas, friendships, risks, struggles, regrets, fears, hopes, and prayers. All of which have been caught up in God s immeasurable grace and blessing that has been poured out over this season of my life.
This is the first full-length book I have published, and it must be said that it would not have been so had the loved ones in my life not been so sacrificial, loving, and selfless. My wife, Medea, and my two boys, Liam and Tate, are my love and joy. Thank you for freeing me up to dream and write, and sacrificing so that God s message in these pages could be delivered through me. Your love and support is far greater than I deserve.
A huge gratitude-filled thanks to my parents, Bob and Jane. The older I get, the more aware I become of the sacrifice and commitment you gave in raising your children in a way that points them to Jesus. To Drew and Lindsay, Joel and Allison, and Laura Jane, it is an honor and a joy to call you family. To Janine, your love, encouragement, and practical support have helped us so much on this journey.
Many of the ideas and thoughts in this book came about through conversations with my greatest friends. Life on life, they have been the community that God uses to refine. Matt and Lauren Larsen, Matt and Deanna Wheeler, Andrew and (now) Megan Shepherd, thank you for loving and believing in me.
To my long-time mentor and friend, Robert Turner: you have taught me so much, given me the confidence to be me, have always stood in my corner, and made it possible for us to move to London.
To Joel Warren, my partner and fellow dr