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.