"Vision?"

I have to confess. I don’t understand it. Someone please explain it to me. Where does the obsession with the word “vision” come from? I feel like I have missed the boat. And please don’t use Proverbs 29:18, which is misleading in some translations. Without using that verse, what is our Biblical argument for the necessity of “vision” in church leadership, as defined in the business/secular world? Try to respond without quoting Maxwell, Andy Stanley (I have his book called, “Visioneering”, etc.), or the latest leadership guru. Give me scripture.

Some thoughts to challenge, provoke riots, expose my ignorance:

• In the NT, especially Acts, we see the church being lead by visions (in the true definition of Proverbs 29:18), the Holy Spirit, and dreams.
• When Jesus comes back, will he want to see our 5-10-15 year plan?
• The early Christians had a more constant expectation of Christ’s return, which probably led to more short-term goals and focus.
• Why does so much of our talk about “vision” deal with building projects and budgets?
• Also, how can our “visionary leaders” set long-term attendance goals when it is God who gives the increase and we are called to plant and water?
• Does our “future-focus” distract us from living for God today and being led by the Spirit daily?
• Early Christians were commanded to go and they went. Today we need quasi-missionary societies to do missions.

I know I am in the minority here but I really wonder what we are accomplishing by dreaming big and only big. It is impressive to other people, it makes us feel good, it follows business models, it may keep us focused on something, and it is exciting. I am going to suggest, though, that a Christian and a church can be pleasing to God by just being faithful daily: by continuing daily and weekly to worship God, be transformed, preach the Gospel, serve the community, etc.

If by “vision” we mean serious, committed Christianity, Amen! But if by “vision” we really mean more organization, trying to impress, and long-term focus…I really am not interested. I don’t see it. God is visionary. He knows the end from the beginning. We need to be led by Him. He has the Master Plan. We need to spend more time with Him to make sure we are in line with His plans instead of trying to enlist Him to accomplish great things for our glory.

I am not for the status quo, maintenance, laziness, or lack of action but I am for simple, humble, obedience to God without worldly ambition and with a focus on now instead of an un-promised future.

The Church Without a Sign

Thanks for your prayers on behalf of my brother-in-law. He should come home today from the hospital. I am leaving for Camp Manatawny today and will be a Bible Teacher this week and am looking forward to having a great time. I appreciate your prayers for the staff and campers.

Here is a thought to chew on this week:

Once upon a time there was a church that didn’t have the name, “Church of Christ” on their sign. Actually, they didn’t even have a sign. Yet, they continued to grow.

Once upon a time there was a church that wasn’t in the phone book. They didn’t post their meeting times in the local paper and they didn’t send mail-outs to the community. Yet, they continued to grow.

Once upon a time, there was a church that didn’t have an evangelism budget. They didn’t plan seminars on marriage or finances. Yet, they continued to grow.

Once upon a time there was a church that didn’t have an office staff. They didn’t even have an office. No computer, no paper, no copying machine, no desk. Yet, they continued to grow.

Once upon a time there was a church that didn’t even have a building. Can you imagine that? They didn’t have pews, a lobby, pulpit/podium, or air conditioning in the summer. Yet, they continued to grow.

This is not a fairy tale (nor a critique) but just a reminder about the church in the Bible. They didn’t have so many of the things that we have; yet, they seemed to do so much more with “so little.” Of course, they did have the Holy Spirit (we do, too) and the Word of God (us, too) and prayer (like us).

An Inconvenient Truth

I am not a big Al Gore fan although I may see his documentary about global warming some day. (And the fact that Christians seem to relegate environmental issues to politics is a topic for another blog another day.) But his title is great, "An Inconvenient Truth".

Jesus, also, is an inconvenient truth. God is an inconvenient truth. Because they are real and true, life can't go on as it always has. The Truth of their existence and nature requires us to change and to conform. Life would be easy if there were no god. We could do what we want, when we want, and how we want. Of course, many live that way currently.

Consider this quote by Al Gore about the movie:
"They are quite literally afraid to know the truth," Gore said. "Because if you accept the truth of what the scientific community is saying, it gives you a moral imperative to start to rein in the 70 million tons of global warming pollution that human civilization is putting into the atmosphere every day."

We can say the same about Christianity and the Bible. Many won't accept it because they are afraid of how that will change their life. The repercussions of recognizing Jesus as Lord and God as Creator are great. I am no longer in control. There is a right and wrong. I am not my own.

Good title. Thanks, Al.