The New Life Vision
Habakkuk tells us to write down the vision so we may run with it. The following is that attempt. If you are building a shed, you don't need a plan. If you're building a temple, you do. The size of the work determines the size of the vision, and more importantly, the size of the vision determines the size of the work.
This blueprint incorporates what has worked for other churches. It builds on biblical concepts. But in spite of all the things that have worked that God had given in this blueprint, the most important element is the relationship the people of the church have with the Holy Spirit who has given the vision. He is the tailor of this work, but we have to wear the clothes. May the Lord grant us the will to wear them well.
Without knowing where you're going, it really doesn't matter where you're going -- because you won't get there. You need to know where you're going. You need a vision. A vision is a cumulative process of a lifetime and the impact of an instant. Moses knew leadership from having been trained in Pharaoh's house. He knew the desert from having walked it for forty years. When Moses met God, he knew why he learned the leadership of the desert.
The vision has been carved from a very hard rock over a long period of time. It is an assimilation of years of heartache and experience.
It is in light of this that the Holy Spirit has birthed the following. Each of the parts listed below has been given and confirmed several times by the Holy Spirit.
The vision consists of several parts and one emphasis -- TRANSFORM THE CITY.
First, we must look to transforming the city --- spiritually, politically, economically, and socially -- through the existing churches and their pastors.
It takes the whole body of Christ in a city to reach a city. Specifically, it means praying for and praying with the existing leadership of churches and institutions in the city and consistently encouraging the existing leadership to commit to praying together.
Second, we must look to transforming the city through spiritual mapping and warfare praying.
We can accomplish this by:
- coming under the authority of the Holy Spirit
- warring His way in His time
- praying against the targeted strongholds of the dark power over the city,
- blessing what has been cursed
- moving under the protection and authority of designated leadership
Third, we must look to transforming the city through the intense worship of the Lord Jesus in whatever manner the Holy Spirit requires. We must emphasize worship with instruments and encourage the participation of as many musicians and singers as possible. Participation over perfection must always be the precedent.
Fourth, we must look to transforming the city through corporate and individual lifestyle evangelism. Teach it, preach it, model it, pray it -- but most of all, do it. The leadership must schedule conferences and outreach events consistently. We must maintain an emphasis on growth and community outreach. We are for the city, not ourselves.
Fifth, we must look to transforming the city through discipling the people in the church in all the things that Jesus taught. Ongoing small group fellowship, Sunday school, and church training are some examples of methods used to disciple. We must know what we believe and how to live it out. Marriage and family life need to consistently be built up and encouraged through seminars and other events.
Sixth, we must look to transforming the city through empowering the people of the church to develop their own ministries that will act as spokes in the wheel of the church. The government of the church and the church budget will be built around the members' ministries. These ministries will be emphasized as places to plug in. They will encompass as wide a variety of works as we have people to dream.
Seventh, we must look to transforming the city through encouraging the economic prosperity of the people in the church and the community. Teachings, workshops, funding of small business through interest-free loans are some of the ways this will be accomplished. We need to set such examples of the uplift of the gospel that people are drawn to see what the difference is.
Eighth, we must look to the transforming of many cities through giving and participating in missions outside our own domain. A certain portion of the church's budget will be appropriated every year for the support of missions outside our city.
Ninth, the Holy Spirit knows how to grow a church. He has established principles as sovereign as the law of gravity. Knowing these principles and abiding by them will insure that (under His inspiration and blessing) a healthy church can reach and transform its city.