Vision vs. Provision
Just got an email from a pastor friend. He is experiencing a little vision opposition.
Pretty tough to sit across the table from your top two giving families and tell them "maybe this isn't the church for you."
I emailed him back:
Wow! Tougher than tough! Proud of you. Provision always follows vision. If I had to choose between vision and provision, I'll choose vision every time because provision is dependent upon vision not vice versa :)
One of the primary pastoral roles is protector of the vision. I'm a pretty laid back person, but if you want to get me riled up just mess with my kids or mess with our vision. That protective instinct rises up within me. Vision is such a sacred thing.
There are moments where you have to go to the mat for your vision. Those are the defining moments of our lives.
Pretty tough to sit across the table from your top two giving families and tell them "maybe this isn't the church for you."
I emailed him back:
Wow! Tougher than tough! Proud of you. Provision always follows vision. If I had to choose between vision and provision, I'll choose vision every time because provision is dependent upon vision not vice versa :)
One of the primary pastoral roles is protector of the vision. I'm a pretty laid back person, but if you want to get me riled up just mess with my kids or mess with our vision. That protective instinct rises up within me. Vision is such a sacred thing.
There are moments where you have to go to the mat for your vision. Those are the defining moments of our lives.
13 Comments:
man, i love this post. thanks mark
If a Pastor needs to say "maybe this church is not for you", my guess is he has a problem with the vision.
So glad to hear of pastors and churches hanging onto their integrity and their God-given vision... even when that means letting go of some significant givers! Thanks for encouraging me!
Anonymous,
Couldn't agree less if I understand your comment correctly.
Life is too short to be part of a church if you don't believe in the vision of a church heart and soul.
If we have a kingdom mindset I think we realize that every church can't be all things to all people. We need to make sure we're aligned with the right vision. And leaders have to be true to the vision God has given them.
I've just seen too many people give up on vision for the wrong reasons.
My two cents,
Mark
Vision is indeed sacred, good for the pastors who can be the guardian of that sacred trust.
Now, having seen what you've done and what you're doing, I don't think your self-description of being a "pretty laid back person" fits. :) Maybe you might try on "subversively hyperactive" or "understatedly energetic" :)
DJ,
I like the oxymoronic descriptions :)
I'm trying to think of one for you. Maybe neo liturgist? Technologian?
Mark
Well, I am new to this. Just asking for prayer with our vision (my husband and myself) for a coffee house and a discipleship academy for women in Wisconsin. Had the vision two years ago. Have to drive by the property every day going to and from work, so we delcare it for God's glory every time! My husband and I felt as if we simply were not serious enough with our realtionship with our Lord. We have been christians most of our lives and are now 59 and 60 years old. Our friends think we have gone off the deep end. Our pastor thinks we really need to re-think this. (Even though he told us about your book, In A Pit....) We started fasting and praying and studying the Word more. God began showing us more and more of this vision. Then I read your book....WOW! The same fire I had 35 years ago when I accepted Christ as my savior, came alive in me! As well as my husband! God does not want us to sit back and retire from His work. This vision will not go away! While in prayer, God spoke to my heart and said, "seek those things which are above....set your mind on things above..." (Adapted from Col. 3:1-3). This is not a project that we would want to just pick up and take on in our selves. Please pray for us as this is truly 'chasing a lion into a pit on a snowy day' in Wisconsin.
Anonymous,
That is one of the most inspiring comments I've ever read :)
"The same fire I had 35 years ago when I accepted Christ as my savior, came alive in me!"
Most of us become so content with normality. Complacency becomes the norm. Pursing vision ought to be the norm! Caled was eight-five when he occupied the Promise Land.
I'd like to help in any way I can as you pursue this coffeehouse vision. Love to have you visit Ebenezers in DC!
Shoot me an email at mark@theaterchurch.com if I can help in any way!
Mark
Mark,
I don’t mean to be contentious but I would like to address why I responded to the post the way I did. I’m sure there may be details about this story that can change my mind, but there is something about hearing a Pastor say to committed families “"maybe this isn't the church for you” that makes me cringe. Wouldn’t a God given vision planted in the heart of the pastor also be planted in the hearts of the people especially those that are deeply committed? Shouldn’t it be possible for those that oppose a vision to still find a comfortable place in the body of believers? I guess what I’m asking is should a church be dominated by a “vision” leaving two options; those onboard or those left to walk the plank? After all, many visions that are at first perceived as God given eventually “return void.” Often times this leaves many wounded. I don think caution is called for here.
Ezek. 13:7 "Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, `The LORD says,' but I have not spoken."
I also see no biblical grounds for the pastor to respond this way. Unless these people are causing a division in the church or involved in unrepentant immorality they shouldn’t be pressured to leave. The phrase “"maybe this isn't the church for you” also could be said “there is another church for you.” I recently read where that 15 –20% of people will leave a church at any given year. Do you realize, using these stats, every 5 years churches will have an entirely different congregations? Church hoping is an all too popular game, this is not what Jesus agonized in the garden for when He prayed for unity.
Finally, “vision” is a term that could be perceived as mystical. Maybe you can define what you mean by it?
Trying not to push too hard,
Anon
Sorry, I meant to say, Caution is called for here.
Anon,
Thought-full response.
It's tough for either of us to comment because we don't know all the nuances.
I just admire someone who won't "sell out" their vision just to hang on the big givers. I think it is an underestated temptation of leadership to compromise vision.
I think there are times when people who aren't called to be the vision casters try to hijack the vision. We haven't experienced it at NCC, but I've heard horror stories :) Makes ministry a burden.
To put it in NCC context, we're called to be a multi-site church. I can imagine a scenario where someone might say "enough is enough" and it could be tempting to compromise the vision. I sure hope I can say like Paul that "I was not disobedient to the vision."
I think the mission of every church is the same: make disciples. But different churches play different kingdom roles. And that is where there might not be a "vision match." That is where I think a person needs to find a church they can sell out to heart and soul.
By the way, fascinating stat that 15-20% leave a church every year. Where did you find that? I'd love to read more about it.
Thanks for weighing in.
Mark
Mark,
"Did you know that in the average church in America, 15 percent of the congregation moves every year? That means, theoretically, you can have 100 percent turnover in a little over five years. "
http://www.generousgiving.org/articles/display.asp?id=181
Not sure where I go the 20% from maybe another article or it just sounded good.
Mark -
I am hyped by your thought and challenged by the comments. We launched a week ago and are seeing God do some pretty awesome things.
BUT this past Sunday we said good-bye to our key worship band member because he and his wife believe that this new church is where God wants them. Sad day for our church but great day for the kingdom when church people get serious about their calling from God.
THEN in the last day our key leadership team has had to stand up to another team member who is hurting us deeply. We may loose him and his family, but we have to stay true to our vision and to the structure we have put in place.
Thank you and praise God for letting me know we are moving in the right direction! Our leadership team are reading "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day" and being hit hard with God stuff. Be blessed....
MICHAEL (James 1:5)
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