Pipelines, Not Containers
by Steve Sjogren
There are two very different ways to live the Christian life.
One treats faith like something to store—protect it, preserve it, keep it safe. That’s maintenance Christianity. It quietly turns vibrant faith into something static, where the goal becomes holding on instead of moving forward.
The other way treats faith like something meant to flow. That’s pipeline Christianity—a life where God’s love, power, and kindness move through you to others. It doesn’t stop with you.
One stagnates. The other moves.
One shrinks over time. The other grows stronger the more it’s given away.
Most people don’t choose stagnation on purpose. They simply stop moving, settling into what they already have instead of stepping into what God intends.
But the Christian life was never meant to be static. Conversion isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting point.
The moment we come to Christ, we begin a lifelong journey of growth. God gives each of us unique gifts, experiences, and opportunities—not just for our benefit, but to share.
We’re called to be pipelines of God’s life.
When we live this way, faith becomes forward-looking and loaded with expectancy. We wake up asking, “Lord, who can I encourage today? How can I show Your kindness? Where can I be useful?”
Years ago, while planting our church in Cincinnati, I met a young pastor from Kansas City preparing to launch a new church. (Today he leads one of the largest United Methodist churches in America and has even run for the U.S. Senate.)
He spent a week with us observing servant evangelism. Each day he went into the community with teams giving away groceries, serving people, praying with anyone who wanted prayer, and showing God’s kindness.
At the end of the week he said, “I’m convinced one of the great keys to the Christian life is giving away the life of Christ.”
That insight shaped his church. He eventually asked every member to serve—not just in the church, but in the community.
I’ve visited his church several times over the years. One weekday, while teaching there, I walked through the building and saw ministry happening everywhere. Two rooms were filled with outreach programs serving adults with Down syndrome.
One gentleman was selling homemade sugar cookies. I smiled and said, “I already bought one.”
He looked at me and said, “I don’t think so.” So…I bought another cookie.
Sometimes the best evangelists don’t know they’re evangelists.
That moment reminded me that ministry isn’t about programs—it’s about people giving away the life they’ve received.
That’s God’s design for every believer.
God fills, strengthens, and comforts us—but He never intends for His life to stop with us.
When His love flows through us to others, our faith stays fresh and activated, ready to go beyond itself.
Maintenance Christianity drains the joy from following Jesus. A life that gives itself away keeps growing because God’s life is always moving through it.
Look for opportunities today to share God’s kindness. Let someone experience Christ through your words, generosity, encouragement, or simple acts of service. Live as though Jesus were standing in your place.
Watch for the unnoticed. Choose kindness when it’s least expected. Offer grace with no strings attached.
You’ll discover that this way of living is anything but dull. It’s joyful. It’s adventurous. It’s surprisingly contagious.
Just ask the Methodists in Kansas City.