Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish," has become the clarion call to all church leaders as of late. I think the verse is in danger of falling into the colloquial abyss, but if the meaning can be maintained it has deep significance for the church's future. Vision was what drove Abraham in Genesis 12 to leave his home and head for a "land flowing with milk and honey." Vision is what allowed the people to follow Moses into the wilderness until they once again crossed over the Jordan and into the land promised to "Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph." Vision is what drove the leaders in the book of Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple after it had been laid to waste some 100+ years before.
In the book of Luke we read the vision of Christ's ministry as He reads from the Book of Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Luke 4:18-19 (NRSV) It was a picture of the future that people in Jesus' day could embrace and appreciate.
Hybels tells us that "Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion." (p.32) I love preaching vision, because I enjoy it when people catch a vision of what God is doing and where they might fit in. They say "You know when you talked about X, I was thinking, that's something I can really get excited about." That's the power of vision. People hear the possibility, feel the stirring in their heart, and begin to see their place in making it come to pass.
Hybels also talks about embodying vision. I've always wondered what it is about leaders in radical cults that they can get others to strap on a bomb and board a bus, but they aren't willing to lead by example? I think this differs from calling. I don't feel I'm called to custodial ministry, but I will gladly clean a toilet, mop a floor or take out trash if it furthers the Kingdom and provides and example for others to follow. I do not feel called to youth ministry, but I do two weeks of summer camp each summer since I know that kids are more likely to come to Christ in a natural surrounding than in any other venue. Ministry that embodies the vision that God has provided is called incarnational ministry. Much as Christ incarnated (showed the vision through his flesh) God we are called to incarnate Christ in how we embody the vision.
This chapter is chock full of pertinent teaching on vision and I think Hybels thoughts are well worth reading. A word of caution that all this brings to mind and a very important issue for leaders; make darned sure that the vision you are projecting is one that has come to you from God. If your prayer life, Bible study, and small group interaction don't absolutely confirm that your vision is Godly, abandon it. A vision that isn't of God is one born out of needs and desires to satisfy yourself. Such a vision is quickly and easily perverted by others and by the evil one. It's a downward spiral that holds nothing positive for the Kingdom of God.
1 comment:
This 2nd chapter was really good, and there were several things that jumped out at me.
The sheer responsibility of communicating a God-sized vision was truly spelled out by Hybels' challenges that he gave his earlier leaders when Willow was looking to build their first building - "Give your life to this... Give all the money you can give. Give all the service you can give. Give all the prayers you can give. Give whatever you have to give, because for all eternity you'll look back over your shoulder and be glad you did." Wow! The things we ask of people in following a passionate vision is huge.
The other item that I though was interesting has to do with what Hybels has to say about what he calls "revolving-door pastors and shifting visions." In a way, you could see this as a critique of the itineracy system that all ordained elders are covenanted to be a part of. Yet, with a church like Good Shepherd, I feel very assured that in many ways this particular body of Christ holds to its own mission and vision from God that, while definitely influenced by pastoral leadership, is strong enough to NOT cause the apathy that Hybels states happens in most churches during pastoral change.
By the way, a big AMEN on the last paragraph you wrote in your post, Dave. Thanks!
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