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Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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Historical Kingdom Christian Movements  /  Finding Fellowship in the 21st Century  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 9
Discuss Bercot’s “William Law approach”: staying in a conventional church and aiming to become “the most loving…the meekest” person there, like William Law serving the poor while remaining Anglican; what parts of that approach feel compelling or impossible to you, and how does it confront the modern desire to find a perfectly aligned “tribe”?
Another way to ask: Bercot praises William Law’s idea: stay in your normal church and try to be the most loving and humble person there. What about this feels inspiring or impossible to you, and how does it challenge the desire to find a church that matches you perfectly?

Direct Answer Bercot presents the William Law approach as a call to pursue Christlike fruit and kingdom service without insisting on a perfectly aligned church. It confronts the “tribe” mentality by saying the first task may be becoming the most loving person where you already are, not finding the most perfect group.

Support from Transcript:

  • He challenges listeners: can you honestly say you are “the most loving…kindest…meekest” person in your church? If not, you “might want to stay right where you are” and focus on that.
  • He explains William Law stayed connected to the Anglican church, yet lived an unusually radical kingdom life.
  • Law lived celibately to devote himself to service, did Christian writing/teaching, and later formed a small community that used “most of their income to help the poor.”
  • They tried to apply Jesus’ words “literally…give to him who asks,” and they started a “school for girls” and “an orphanage.”
  • Bercot’s lesson: “Don’t think…the only choice is…I’ve got to go now find a church where the whole church believes the same way.”
  • He admits “very, very few” find a “perfect church,” yet kingdom life is still “doable.”
Discussion Follow-ups What would it cost you to stay put and focus on being more loving rather than more “correct”? Are you seeking a church that matches you, or a life that matches Jesus?

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