Visioneering

Stephen Spielberg states, “I dream for a living.” He certainly has been successful at visioneering. Jesus gave all of us our vision as Christians “to make disciples who make disciples”. His mission is our vision. Or is it?

The Plan of Dedication, Action, and Budget should be read responsibly by every one of our members. It states our mission, our message, our ministries, and our measurements of growth. There are many areas of growth and there are many areas of concern and challenge. Some areas are flat; some areas are ahead of the curve. It is both a sobering assessment and a call to action.

This is a critical time for visioneering as we consider new elders and a New Year. We have unprecedented opportunities. 100’s of people come into our building every week right now because of Upward Basketball and the Homeschool Association. Yet, do we see ministry as terminal or relational?

Church growth cannot be quantified simply as personnel, methods, and facilities. Success in the spiritual realm is by the power of the Spirit of God, not in our wisdom or hard work (Zech 4:6). Our call is to be faithful to plant and water, but God is the one who gives the increase (I Cor. 3:6-7). We can and should be more efficient, more creative, more purposeful, and more organized, but that is not where the power is. If we do not have the anointing of the Spirit of God we will fail.

What empowers a church is not methodologies and analysis. It is prayer. The conversion ratios, the attendance ratios, the giving ratios, and the involvement ratios cannot be turned around by man made schemes. It is the power of God that must run the church. It is the Word and prayer. Always has been, always will be (Acts 6:4). It is not about what we can do, but what God can do through us.

Steve