Vision, vision, who's got a vision?

Our church's vision statement (see below) includes the ideas of community, of following Jesus, and of attracting others to Him. But there's one more element that is in practically every Christian statement you read: glorify God.

The statement is reflective of the most famous lines from church history: "What is the chief end of man?” from the Westminster Confession. The answer is "to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." That line captures eloquently the emphasis of Scripture that all of creation ultimately exists for Him, and not for us.

So ministries often remind themselves that they exist for Him, not us. In other words, we are not just organizations selling services to a clientele. Instead, we exist for strictly spiritual purposes.

But that is hard to do. We have to constantly remind ourselves that life is more that just surviving on earth, it is to be lived for the one who made us and gave His Son for us. We are here to bring Him glory.

Sadly, individually and as a church, we too often forget this vital purpose. We place our own temporary interests first. And ironically, when we do that, we suffer in the short term, too.

More on that vision thing

Different organizations use different systems to accomplish their vision. Whether it's a manufacturing business or a service organization, each creates mechanisms to create their product. It's tempting to think that a church accomplishes its vision through worship services, sermons, education programs, etc.

While all of those programs are parts of the process, I think that a local church or congregation is primarily a community--and it is the community itself that ultimately does the work of the church.

The Bible dictates the things that churches do: teach, serve, evangelize, worship, relate. But it seems that the mystery of the church is that the Spirit uses the working of the gifts in community to do His work. I think that means that we can do a lot of church things, but if we have not created that sense of community, where we experience Jesus through the lives of others, then we will miss the best He has to offer.

But community is hard. Our human nature makes community hard, and today's lifestyle makes it even harder. We're busy, stressed, independent...all things that frustrate the kind of relationships that the Spirit works through.

But being hard is no excuse. Our fellowship must constantly create opportunities for believers to touch other lives. And over time, I believe God uses others to transform us into "passionate servants of Jesus Christ who attract others to Him."