Recently, a woman shared with me about a family member’s frustrating journey. As she shared, it occurred to me that this family member was most likely trying to operate in a realm of society he wasn’t necessarily called to.
Sometimes we are raised to believe that ministry looks ONLY one certain way: in a church.
Not only can we sadly put God in a box,
we can also put serving with Him in a box too.
Back in 1975, Loren Cunningham — founder of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) — was resting in a quiet cabin in the Colorado Rockies when God interrupted his peace with a powerful idea. As he prayed, a list came to mind — categories of society that needed to be reached if nations were to be transformed for Christ.
He wrote them down.
The very next day, he met with Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ. To their amazement, Bill had received the same revelation — the same categories, written slightly differently, but with the same heart: a vision for influencing the world through love and truth.
Here’s that list, refined over the years:
- The Home
- The Church
- Education (Schools)
- Government and Politics
- Media
- Arts, Entertainment, and Sports
- Commerce, Science, and Technology
Cunningham later wrote,
“These seven spheres of influence will help us shape societies for Christ.”
💡 The Heart Behind the Vision
PLEASE NOTE: Some people have sadly taken these 7 areas and viewed them as mountains to conquer – twisting this concept into a world domination strategy. Ugh.
My take?
I’m choosing to call them circles.
Why?
Circles speak to me of a gathering of people, or spheres of society.
The key is the heart motivation.
It’s about love.
It’s not about taking over or dominating these areas.
It’s about serving them with the love of Jesus.
When we love the people within each sphere, we reveal the heart of Christ to them. But when we lose love, it becomes noise and control.
As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:1,
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
The key question isn’t “Which mountain should I conquer?” but rather,
“Lord, where are You calling me to love and serve?”
✨ Jesus: The Model for Influence Outside Religious Circles
Jesus Himself modeled this beautifully.
Although He was recognized as a Rabbi, He didn’t confine His ministry to the synagogue. He walked into every sphere of society and carried the Kingdom with Him wherever He went.
- In the Home: He healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29–31) and dined with Zacchaeus, bringing salvation to his household (Luke 19:1–10).
- In Government: He spoke truth to Pilate (John 18:36–37) and honored authority even while confronting injustice (“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s…” — Mark 12:17).
- In Education: He taught on hillsides, boats, and dinner tables — His parables became timeless lessons that still shape minds today.
- In Business: He called fishermen in the midst of their work and gave them a supernatural catch (Luke 5:1–11), showing that His presence transforms even the marketplace.
- In Arts and Storytelling: He used imagination, humor, and vivid imagery to awaken hearts — the greatest storyteller who ever lived.
- In Media (Word of Mouth): His message spread through testimony — ordinary people who couldn’t stop talking about what He’d done.
- In the Church: He redefined true worship — not confined to buildings, but in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:23–24).
Jesus never separated “sacred” and “secular.”
He simply brought Heaven’s culture into every place He went.
🎯 Finding Your Sweet Spot
Sometimes we feel frustrated because we’re trying to fit our “round peg” calling into a “square hole.”
Maybe you’ve tried to make your impact in the church world — but your heart beats faster when you think about business innovation or the Arts and Creativity.
That’s not rebellion — that might be your mission field!
When you discover where God’s love flows through you most naturally, you begin to thrive.
And when you bring the presence of Jesus into that sphere of society, transformation begins — quietly, powerfully, and often without a pulpit.
Imagine:
- A teacher who carries peace into the classroom.
- A business owner who models integrity and generosity.
- An artist who reflects God’s beauty through their work.
- A journalist who seeks truth instead of fear.
Every space becomes holy ground when we walk in with the Holy Spirit.
🙏 Listening Prayer Prompts
Take a few moments to pause and ask Jesus:
- “Lord, which area of society have You designed me to influence with Your love?”
- “How do You want to use my story, skills, and passion to serve others?”
- “Is there a sphere where I’ve been striving instead of resting in Your assignment?”
- “How do You want me to bless and pray for those already in that sphere?”
Then, wait. Listen.
You might be surprised by what He shows you.
💬 Final Thought
The call to influence the seven circles of society isn’t about climbing to the top of a mountain and taking control of the world — it’s about carrying the presence of Christ wherever you go!
When we see ourselves as missionaries of love in every sector of society — whether in homes, classrooms, studios, or boardrooms — heaven’s culture begins to break through earth’s systems.
God isn’t looking for world domination (often done through control).
He’s looking for hearts surrendered to His love.
And through those hearts, He will transform the world.
A world operating in purity, love, peace, and joy is true freedom.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17 NIV
Merri Ellen 🙂
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Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box 
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