You Are My Vision
There were sixty-two people at the west side service yesterday evening. God is forming a new congregation in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. This has been a long time coming, culmination in part of dreams that preceded my time in the ministry. And I still remember many late nights on the back porch with Jesse when we dreamed big. Still, we could not have imagined up ourselves the things that God has made happen, and only He knows where this is going long-term.
Jesse and I separately came to the same conclusions this week, and they are strongly connected. We need to be praying more, as individuals, as leaders, and as a ministry team. And forged in prayer, we need to inscribe a vision for the west side ministry. I look around and see ministries without legitimate vision left stagnant and directionless. As Christian leaders, we aim to capture God's vision and influence others to press on toward it alongside us.
“A vision that is not God-centered may enjoy temporary success but probably will not provide a long-lasting impact.” – George Barna, The Power of Vision
Just like how Paul closed His letter to the Ephesians, the vision brings it back to God; "to Him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ to all generations." I like how Barna puts it, and that is why we the wayward must be constantly realigned with God in prayer. Next week, Jesse and I are meeting with the strong believers among the west side movement - Matt, McKenzie, Cardin, Hannah, Macey, Julia, Sam - to pray, present the vision, and pray. As Jesus-followers, we share universal, unspoken causes, but here is something more concrete:
Ephesians 3:20-21
“Now to Him who is able to do above and
beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us - to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Jesse and I separately came to the same conclusions this week, and they are strongly connected. We need to be praying more, as individuals, as leaders, and as a ministry team. And forged in prayer, we need to inscribe a vision for the west side ministry. I look around and see ministries without legitimate vision left stagnant and directionless. As Christian leaders, we aim to capture God's vision and influence others to press on toward it alongside us.
“A vision that is not God-centered may enjoy temporary success but probably will not provide a long-lasting impact.” – George Barna, The Power of Vision
Just like how Paul closed His letter to the Ephesians, the vision brings it back to God; "to Him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ to all generations." I like how Barna puts it, and that is why we the wayward must be constantly realigned with God in prayer. Next week, Jesse and I are meeting with the strong believers among the west side movement - Matt, McKenzie, Cardin, Hannah, Macey, Julia, Sam - to pray, present the vision, and pray. As Jesus-followers, we share universal, unspoken causes, but here is something more concrete:
"The vision of CityView West Bethel is to pray constantly and courageously for God’s transformative effect in Detroit Shoreway, to reach and disciple the marginalized of the neighborhood, and to see life-long, Jesus-following leaders raised up in the church and in the community."
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