Manifesto Value: Contextualization

May 6

When the KC Underground launched in 2019, part of our formation was to adopt the Underground Manifesto created by the Tampa Underground. The Manifesto is comprised of eighteen values that reflect our theological convictions. These values bind us together as a diverse and creative network. This prayer guide will cover one of those values.

Read: Spend some time slowly reading and rereading this value:

Contextualization

We will not trust in franchising or empire-building through paradigm propagation. Rather, we will value the empowerment of every microchurch community to contextualize the proclamation and demonstration of the Gospel to the people they hope to reach. Our paradigm is that there is no one paradigm. We believe in contextualized structures with revolutionary content. Learning from the ministry of Jesus, we will not try to bring surface transformation (to culture or structures) but rather contextualize our structures to what people can and will understand so that the revolutionary message of the Kingdom and the liberating work of the Holy Spirit will be received.

Retell: As a practice to embrace what you are reading, grab a journal and write the value out in your own words.

Read: Choose at least 3 - 5 of the following supporting passages and read through them.

Biblical Foundation

John 1:14, Acts 16:3, Acts 17:22-23, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, 1 Corinthians 10:32-33, Philemon 2: 5-8, (the passages of the ministry of Jesus and
his parables are all examples of contextualization)

Consider: As you read and rewrote this value, what stood out to you the most? What did the Spirit highlight as you read the supporting passages from Scripture? What do you sense the Spirit is saying to you? Take a few minutes to journal your thoughts.

Pray: Now that you have had a few minutes to consider what the Spirit might be saying to you, turn these thoughts into prayers.

Perhaps it is a prayer of repentance: Jesus, I repent for the times I have clung to rigid methods or paradigms instead of seeking Your wisdom for how best to reach people in their unique context. Forgive me for prioritizing my preferences or traditions over the work of Your Spirit and the needs of those You have called me to serve. Jesus, I confess that I have sometimes sought surface transformation or uniformity instead of allowing Your gospel to penetrate deeply into hearts and communities. Teach me to trust in Your revolutionary message and to follow Your example in meeting people where they are.
Perhaps it is a prayer of invitation: Holy Spirit, I invite You to guide me in contextualizing the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel. Help me to see the unique needs, cultures, and perspectives of the people I seek to reach and to adapt with wisdom and humility. Holy Spirit, let the structures I build and the message I share be aligned with Your mission, not my own preferences or plans. Teach me to embody Your love in ways that resonate deeply with those around me so that Your Kingdom is known and received.
Perhaps it is a prayer for creativity and flexibility: Father, I pray for creativity and flexibility in sharing Your Gospel with others. Help me to break free from rigid patterns and to be open to new ways of demonstrating Your love and truth. Father, give me the humility to learn from others and the courage to try new approaches as I partner with You in reaching people in diverse and dynamic contexts. May everything I do point to Your revolutionary message and the work of Your Spirit.

Each of these simple prayers can be a springboard into more. Use the thoughts you journaled above to help guide your prayers. Take some extra time today to pray for our larger network of disciple-makers and microchurches, that we would embrace contextualization, adapting our methods to reach people where they are while boldly proclaiming the revolutionary truth of Jesus’s Kingdom.

Respond: If Jesus highlighted a particular way for you to respond in obedience to Him today in light of this value from the Manifesto, consider sharing this response with another disciple-maker.