Ridgell's Originals

One of the problems I am having with the whole church vision discussion is that when a church sets its vision, what happens to the member whose vision does not align with the one the church promotes.  Not saying either is right or wrong, but as I have said myself, not sure every church can do every thing.

So churches must look at every program and decide whether it fits with their vision.  I have no problem with that being a logical extension of following a decided vision.  So let's say a church decides that one of their visions is to reach young families with children.  Great vision and goal.  I have no problem with that.  But a member has a vision to reach singles in the community.  Since that doesn't fit with the stated vision, there will not be programs, budget, and staff support for a singles outreach.

So what does the member do?  Give up what they think God has equipped and called them to do?  Convince the church leaders to change their vision so it is about singles?  Leave that church and find one that has a vision for singles?  If there is not one, do they start one?

But what if the church's vision was simply to make disciples and every member was free to follow their heart, talents, and call within the larger vision.  What if the church invested in motivating and equipping members to do real ministry on an individual or small group basis?

But how do you budget for that kind of broad vision?  How do you know what programs the church should empower?  How do you know what ministers to hire?

And maybe that is the problem.  Are we too budget, building, and program conscious?  Is the real vision of the church to institutionalize our ministry?  If so, then we must focus on budget, staffing, and programs.

But the more I am reading Scripture and asking what the vision of the church should be... the more I am wondering if it really is much more personal and individual than institutional.

And by the way, as some of you have pointed out, there are some things that church does seem to do in an institutional, program oriented way.  And I will deal with those.

But at this point, I really wonder if the church is supposed to be the vehicle for ministry with all its institutional trappings.  Or is the church supposed to be the vehicle for ministers (all of us) to be inspired and motivated to be out in the world doing ministry and thus growing the church so we have more member/ministers?

Thanks for the input and for helping me think this thru.