The Importance Of A Vision (Part 3)

Bethel's God given vision is simple.  It is all about Outreach, Evangelism, Pastoral Care, Discipling, and Training.  I want to cover some aspects of our vision that are necessary for it to be effective.

1.  How A Vision Grows

The principles of a vision and how we arrive at the vision don't change.  But the methods of how

we accomplish the vision can and should change as necessary.  For example, forty years ago Training would not have involved electronic media as we know it today.  It would have been done face to face in a classroom maybe with a VHS tape and a TV.  However today with the proliferation of the internet and computers, a lot of training can be accomplished online via video and audio in the comfort of peoples homes.  The principles don't change, but the methods do.

2.  Workers/Leaders Are Our Greatest Need

Followers of Christ, activating their call and gift, is the greatest resource to fulfilling the vision.  It doesn't matter how big your facility is or how many ministries are needed to take care of the people, just know that nothing will happen without a sufficient number of workers and leaders. Jesus himself said the "harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" (Matthew 9:37).  Everyone wants a church that has all the benefits and that can take care of them and their needs, but few want to ever get involved.  The greatest challenge you have before you is the decision to get involved.

3.  Things To Know In Carrying Out The Vision

There are two important principles we need to understand if we are to carry out the vision:

• Every Believer Is A Minister.  Unfortunately too many believers view ministry as "Here am I Lord send Bill or Cathy!"  Many don't want to fulfill their role in the Kingdom.  It is the responsibility for every believer to be involved in outreach, evangelism, pastoral care, discipling, and training.  Every believer can do the supernatural (Mark 16:15-20).
• Every Believer Is To Do The Works Of Jesus.  In John 14:12 Jesus says "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."  What did Jesus do?  He preached the gospel to the poor, he healed the broken hearted, He preached deliverance to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and set free them that are bruised, and preached the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19).  You and I are charged to do the same thing.

4.  What We Must Commit To In Carrying Out The Vision

There are fives areas where we must be absolutely committed if the vision is to be fulfilled:

• Prayer -- We should commit to pray for the harvest, pray for our national and local leaders, pray for one another in the church, pray for the leadership and ministries of the church and pray that your love would abound to all people.  Commit to pray for people more than you complain about people!
• Attendance -- Fellowship of the believers is vital.  We need each other for spiritual growth. Hebrews 10:25 informs us to "not forsake the assembling of ourselves together..."  Whether it is in a home like the early church or if it is in a church building we must commit ourselves to fellowship with other believers.
• Involvement -- Be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.  Do the work of the ministry. Don't sit back and expect others to do it.  You need to get involved doing what God has called you to do.
• Finances -- Let's face it, everything cost money.  Finances are extremely important to the ability of the church to fulfill it's vision.  Malachi 3:10 tells us to bring the tithe into the storehouse.  Jesus instructs us to "give and it shall be given unto you" (Luke 6:38).  And Paul informed the Corinthians about the principle of sowing and reaping.  When we sow bountifully, we will reap bountifully.  It takes money and God has blessed you and I to give.
• Witnessing -- Every believer has to commit to being a witness.  We are all responsible for the fulfillment of the "Great Commission" to "go and teach and make disciples..."  How committed are you to fulfilling this command?

It's time we get off the sideline and get into the game!  Make your commitment today to get involved in fulfilling the vision of outreach, evangelism, pastoral care, discipling, and training.  Ask yourself, what can I do to get involved and help fulfill the vision?

-- Pastor Temple