How big is the vision that God has given you? For a church planter, is it to start a new church, build it to a comfortable size, and pastor a people? Sounds nice…doesn’t sound very big.
I know, I know. Everybody has their own vision so who am I to call you out on yours? Well, here is the deal. Every church planter’s vision better be linked at the hip with the vision of the original church. We aren’t doing something new. We are continuing something quite old. Therefore, our vision should have the scope and size of the early church. Read this excerpt from Acts 4 and dream with me:
[12] Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. [13] None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. [14] And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, [15] so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. [16] The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. (Acts 5:12-16 ESV)
Yes, that would be a vision of grandeur. People chasing you down to get the blessing and healing of God! Multitudes! Lord, let it be. Yes, it is bigger than most of us have experienced. But, YES, this is the story of the early church…the same church that you and I serve today. Doesn’t it sound amazing? Does it seem unattainable?
Our vision should be something that seems completely improbable, impossible and unattainable IF God’s Spirit doesn’t lead it! Our vision should seem so BIG that others will challenge it because it seems so grandiose (see last week’s writing on Church Plant Hijack). Yet, when challenged, our vision should be so resolute because it is from God. Is yours? Here are a few questions to help you consider the value and size of your vision:
Is your vision something that can be done completely by human effort?
If your vision does not become a reality what will have been missed in your city or area of service?
What considerations do you make when others challenge your vision?
Now, a God-inspired Vision is accomplished when you execute your Mission. Next time, we will talk about the ingredients to that.