You see it from every corner of the corporate world; the need for vision. Within the church, it is common for leaders to see the concept of a vision as “secular” and “unbiblical”. What does the Bible say about vision? Did Jesus have a vision? Why should we have a vision for our little church? We must look into the Word and follow the patterns It has for us.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18 KJV
This passage is used very often when talking about vision. It is less likely the writer is talking about church vision or visions for ministry. In context, this passage is in a collection of wise advice. It is among the passage in verse 15, “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame”. So, what is the value of this passage of scripture? The wise saying stands; “where there is no vision, the people perish…” Perhaps we should look at patterns within the Bible where vision is implemented.
Jesus is always the best example to follow. When Jesus was a boy, only twelve years old, his family went to Jerusalem to attend the Feast of the Passover (Luke 2:41). On the way home, Joseph and Mary realize they had lost Jesus. He stayed back in Jerusalem. In verse 46 we are told it took three days to find him. Jesus’ response to his mother’s questions of “why have you treated us so?” is paramount to us as believers. He said,
“How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? (Luke 2:49, KJV).
Even at twelve, Jesus had a clear vision of what he was to be doing and where he was to go. We as a church must be about our Father’s business. We need to see clearly why specific vision is important to the local church, and to do this, we must define vision.
Vision, in a missional aspect, is best defined by www.businessdictionary.com. They define a vision statement as,
“An aspirational description of what an organization would like to achieve or accomplish in the mid-term or long-term future. It is intended to serves as a clear guide for choosing current and future courses of action.”
Though this is a “business” term, it has value to a church that longs to glorify God, love their community, and obey the Great Commission. Churches must ask why they are there, what purpose they serve, and where the Holy Spirit is taking them in their community. Unlike businesses, we have been given the basis of our vision in the Bible.
Jesus gave every Christian a vision in the form of the Great Commission that overshadows every other aspect of vision a church could have. When he spoke to the disciples and told them to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES, this was a commission that has been the driving vision of the church through the centuries. This comes from Matthew 28:19. We could spend days understanding and meditating on the Great Commission. Any church vision that does not encompass the great commission must evaluate whether or not they are following the Word. The Great Commission is not the only driving momentum for church visions. The commands Jesus gave, also provides amazing vision points for where the church should be heading and what the church should be doing.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)
The command of Jesus to love is the heart and correct response we should have as individuals, and as the Body of Christ. This should be incorporated into the vision and mission of our churches as Jesus tells us this is how the world will know we are His disciples. Like the Great Commission, this passage has so many gems in it to explore. These are all very important aspects of the foundation of church vision but in themselves do not tell the church member or visitor the church’s role in God’s plan of redemption. Here are some things I learned about vision that may help:
- Vision helps keep the church on track
- Vision help members and visitors understand the bigger picture
- Vision helps leaders mold efforts toward the common end
- Vision allows leadership to identify successes and failures by providing a ruler from which to measure efforts
- While the visions may look and sound different from church to church, they will be quite similar as they must be rooted in scripture and led by the Holy Spirit.