What you see will determine what your vision will become. God can only speak into what you are open to seeing.
Kris Vallotton in his article on The Power of Vision wrote. "Vision is what we see, but it is also the way in which we see. Vision is the lens that interprets the events of our life, the way we view people and our concept of God. .... Jesus said that our eyes are the windows of our heart. Paul prayed that the eyes of our heart would be enlightened. In other words, we perceive with our eyes but we see with our hearts. Our minds receive images from our eyes but our heart interprets these images."
We need the Holy Spirit to take what we see with our eyes and to help us to interpret it by filtering it through our hearts.
A simple definition of vision could be: “Looking into the future and seeing what God wants to do through you to carry out His redemptive purposes.”
1. Vision is the God-given ability to SEE those things which are not, but which could become REALITY.
2. The church’s vision determines its direction and all its ministries. The process starts when you feel DISSATISFIED with the way
things are. There must be some discomfort with the status quo. You see a better FUTURE, an attainable ideal toward which to
work.
3. Having vision is also a matter of FAITH, because you must deal with things that you can’t see concretely. Without faith there can be no vision. And if there is no vision, then there is no mission.
4. A vision is a CHALLENGING and CLEAR picture of the future of the ministry.
In Acts 26 we see the defense of the apostle Paul before King Agrippa. Paul bases all that he had done on the vision that he had for taking the gospel to the gentiles.
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen-- 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.
What do you see as the needs of your community?
1. Pray for God’s vision for the church you believe He wants you to plant and journal your thoughts. Write down what He has shown you up to this point in time:
2. Familiarize yourself with the needs of your selected community through research, conversations and observations. Identify at least 5 needs you have discovered:
3. Speak with proven leaders and long-term residents in the community who are also seeking to make a difference in the community. Ask them what their vision for the community is. Write down what you have discovered from these people about the community:
4. Contact at least 3 visionary church planters you know from churches in different areas and ask them about their vision:
• How did they receive their vision?
• What did they do to get alone with God and listen?
• What would they recommend for you to do to discover what God wants to do in your community?
5. Dream aloud with others, possibly potential team members. Record things that may merit further thought and reflection.
You need a vision for your life and you need to have a vision for your ministry. Church Planters do what they do because of what they see in the spirit.
Kris Vallotton in his article on The Power of Vision wrote. "Vision is what we see, but it is also the way in which we see. Vision is the lens that interprets the events of our life, the way we view people and our concept of God. .... Jesus said that our eyes are the windows of our heart. Paul prayed that the eyes of our heart would be enlightened. In other words, we perceive with our eyes but we see with our hearts. Our minds receive images from our eyes but our heart interprets these images."
We need the Holy Spirit to take what we see with our eyes and to help us to interpret it by filtering it through our hearts.
A simple definition of vision could be: “Looking into the future and seeing what God wants to do through you to carry out His redemptive purposes.”
1. Vision is the God-given ability to SEE those things which are not, but which could become REALITY.
2. The church’s vision determines its direction and all its ministries. The process starts when you feel DISSATISFIED with the way
things are. There must be some discomfort with the status quo. You see a better FUTURE, an attainable ideal toward which to
work.
3. Having vision is also a matter of FAITH, because you must deal with things that you can’t see concretely. Without faith there can be no vision. And if there is no vision, then there is no mission.
4. A vision is a CHALLENGING and CLEAR picture of the future of the ministry.
In Acts 26 we see the defense of the apostle Paul before King Agrippa. Paul bases all that he had done on the vision that he had for taking the gospel to the gentiles.
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen-- 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.
What do you see as the needs of your community?
1. Pray for God’s vision for the church you believe He wants you to plant and journal your thoughts. Write down what He has shown you up to this point in time:
2. Familiarize yourself with the needs of your selected community through research, conversations and observations. Identify at least 5 needs you have discovered:
3. Speak with proven leaders and long-term residents in the community who are also seeking to make a difference in the community. Ask them what their vision for the community is. Write down what you have discovered from these people about the community:
4. Contact at least 3 visionary church planters you know from churches in different areas and ask them about their vision:
• How did they receive their vision?
• What did they do to get alone with God and listen?
• What would they recommend for you to do to discover what God wants to do in your community?
5. Dream aloud with others, possibly potential team members. Record things that may merit further thought and reflection.
You need a vision for your life and you need to have a vision for your ministry. Church Planters do what they do because of what they see in the spirit.
