Do you feel like your church or ministry isn’t going anywhere? If you aren’t visionary, you’re undoubtedly stuck in something that keeps you from moving forward.
Typical Reasons Churches and Ministries Lack Vision
Below are five reasons churches and ministries aren’t going anywhere. They’re stuck. Click on links for a look at each of these reasons.
Stuck in Perpetual Motion
Stuck in Parroting
Stuck in Preparations
Stuck in the Past
Stuck in the Present
God Wants Us To Press On, Not Get Stuck in Place
God wants us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Growth implies progression. We’re not growing if we’re staying in the same place. We’re to “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold” of us. None of us will ever arrive on this side of eternity (Phil. 3:12). Pressing on suggests that we’re in a constant spiritual pursuit, not locked in place.
One day God will even transform our lowly bodies. — “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Phil. 3:20) — If He can do that, certainly He can provide the power we need right now to move forward. Let’s not be content to stay where we are. — “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)
God Wants Us to be Visionary Which Requires His Power and Perspective
When we try to move staying in the same spot, we merely build ruts. The deeper the rut, the harder it is to get out. Often it takes someone, or something, powerful enough to pull us out. God is our Power Source. — “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Pet. 1:3)
We may get weary of staying vigilant and moving forward but not God. In Him we not only have the power to persevere but also the needed perspective. — “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isa. 40:28-29)
God can pull us out of our ruts, no matter what we may be stuck in. But, we must put our hope in Him, no matter how things appear. — “… but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isa. 40:31)
Help for Church and Ministry Leaders: Goal-Setting & Vision Casting
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Phil. 3:12)
Yes, Bill. We all need to acknowledge this reality within ourselves and our churches. If we don’t, we’re less likely to press on.