Editorial . . . Forging a shared vision is not an easy thing to do in any church, what more when we have to do it, not only as seven Senior Pastors, but with our seven churches whose members seldom meet in one assembly for a time of hearing vision together.
However, the motivation behind our vision for discipling the city is strong enough for us to attempt the near-impossible task. And that motivation is to see Jesus glorified in our city, in our country and in the world!
There is no worthier cause than that!
HOW THEN SHALL WE BEGIN?
Shared vision is forged . . .
In faith . . . when we believe that it can be done! By putting our heart and minds to it AND when the seven churches place the LPN Vision for the city as their local churches’ foremost priority.
In prayer . . . when we pray for the LPN vision for city transformation at our church prayer meetings. When cell meetings include spontaneous prayers for discipling the city which begins with each member. And when all our seven churches gather, in one place and with one heart, regularly, for city wide prayers.
In word . . . when our messages from the pulpit take on a larger vision than our own local church and embrace the heart of the Lord for our city. When our bulletins, websites, blogs promote the kingdom aspect of the mission of God and highlight the needs of the cities and the testimonies of what God is doing in our city, and
In deed . . . when we make time to learn together (Intentional Discipleship Church Models, Tent-making, the Template Institute Conferences, Community Development Training and etc) as
WIDENING THE NET, STRATEGICALLY . . .
The VISION began with the Senior Pastors but it must now move on. Like the ever-widening ripples of water when a stone is cast into the waters, the next ripple is the next level of leadership.
If Senior Pastors are the CASTER of vision, then core teams of second level leaders are the CONNECTORS of the vision.
If you are an elder, deacon, board member, head of department etc . . . you are playing a vital role. You either connect the vision of the senior pastors to the congregations of the local churches or you disconnect it.
Do you share the vision of your Senior Pastor? Do you know what is in his heart? If you do not, now is the time to get to know it, because, in the days ahead, not only will you be required to know it and share it with those under you, but you will need to become part of the forging of the SHARED VISION for the city.
The Vision needs YOU to bring life to what are presently mere words, to give strategies that are appropriate to daily life and to live out the Gospel in the midst of the city we hope to disciple.
May the Lord bless you in 2009!
Pastor Albert - LPN Facilitator for City Transformation
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