The Bible says "without a vision the people perish". I've heard many pastors and leaders tell me their vision, whether personally or by hearing them at conferences or reading them in books. Some of them are for a large church, a big budget so they can do the things they want, a giving church, a big television ministry, a big public ministry, to send lots of missionaries world-wide, to have a great teaching ministry, to commence a teaching centre, to start up a sports complex, etc., etc.. Often when I think of my personal vision I am reminded of God's words to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 45.5 And you, do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them" Yes I want great things to happen with Christ's kingdom but not for myself. John the Baptist's words must always be in the forefront in our lives. "He (Christ) must increase and I must decrease". Sometimes I think that we often in church put the cart before the horse in the life of the church.
People often ask me what is your vision for this church.
Simply put it is this;
New Hope: That many people in the life of this church may come to know Jesus. (Jer 29:11) For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
New Life: That in their knowing the Father they will learn to walk with Jesus, walking by His Spirit. (Listening, growing, learning). That God's people would walk in the newness of life. (Rom 6:4) "Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." That the people of God would learn to love each other. "Little children love one another because love is from God" 1 John 4.7
New Direction: That people in knowing and walking with Christ may walk in God's will for their lives. (Eph 2:10) "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." That Christians will know their specific calling in life and walk in it, obedient to His call.
When we are walking in His Spirit as a body of Christ, the church will grow, people will come to know Jesus, children's ministry will flourish, youth work will blossom, people will grow into their ministries, people will be sent out as missionaries, the music team will grow, home groups will grow, we will build a permanent sanctuary for the work of the Lord and ministry centres, we will plant churches, etc. But let us put first things first in our lives.
