Vision for the Church

The King James Version of Proverbs 29:18 reads “Where there is no vision, the people parish”.  Although the New International Version translation is somewhat different, the impact is equally powerful: “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint.”

Unless God’s people have a clear understanding of where they are headed, the probability of a successful journey is severely limited.  Unless you attend to His call upon your life and ministry, you are likely to experience confusion, weariness, dissipation and impotence.

If you are like most Christians, you are vaguely familiar with the concept of vision but have spent little time and have invested little effort in attempting to be a visionary Christian.  In fact, with the recent New Age Techniques such as “visioning” gaining attention in the marketplace, the notion of associating the Christian faith with vision appears improper or unorthodox.  But then we must visit again the words of Proverbs, “Where there is no vision, the people parish.”

With that in mind I want to take several weeks on the “Pastors Perch” to share some of the Myths that Marr Vision.  Once we understand what Vision is we might have one for the churches that we serve and for the ministry that we find ourselves serving.

MYTH # 1 Vision should be the result of a consensus among the church’s key leaders regarding future activity by the church.

REALITY # 1 Vision is not the result of consensus; it should result in consensus.

In a church, it is important that people own the vision for ministry, not that they create it.  The creative function of church members relates to ministry plans – that is, strategies and tactics – that are a consequence of the vision.  Grasping God’s vision for the church ministry is not a committee process.

MYTH #2 Vision and mission are synonymous.

REALITY #2 While vision relates to specific actions, mission relates to general approaches to action.

When we speak about vision for ministry, we are alluding to a future-based, detailed, unique perspective on the church’s calling.  When we address mission for ministry, we are speaking of a broad-based definition of the reason for existence that under girds everything the church does and stands for. While vision relates to specific actions, mission relates to general approaches to action. Every church should have a mission statement and a vision statement; the two are inextricably related but are clearly distinct.  Mission precedes vision, but without vision, it is empty and incomplete.

As we move into the near future, it would do all of us well (inside and outside the church), to look at what our vision is.  If we look too closely at the here and now we might walk right off the highest cliff in our life.  To take the walk of life we must keep our heads lifted high and our eyes open to what is up ahead.  God Bless and Keep you and Give you Rest.   Pastor Richard E. Johnson

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