"For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at
the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it. Because it
will surely come, it will not tarry. "
(Hab. 2:3-4)
"Where there is no vision the people perish."
(Prov. 29:18)
Without A Vision, We Perish!
God often speaks to his leaders in a vision. A vision of God is always the result of a revelation from God. Isaiah's vision came as Jehovah showed himself as the Lord of the temple. Job’s vision was the result of Jehovah's revelation of himself as Creator. Jacob’s vision came while he watched the angels of God ascending and descending on a ladder to heaven. Martin Luther King's vision was the result of an encounter with God. Then he said he's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land." John's vision on Patmos was a result of the self-revelation of Jesus Christ as the risen and living Lord.
Whether we are ready or not, like it or not, 1999 is over. Leonard Sweet, in his book, Soul Tsunazmi: Sink or Swim in the New Millennium, states, "The rapid changes and technological advances of the 21st Century are not on the way. They're here! How does the church respond to this fact? Where does the sacred and the secular intersect? Can the church speak to the new postmodern culture? The problem is "Post moderns are totally unfamiliar with our (Christian) language our rituals and our beliefs. The Bible isn't closed, its unknown. Biblical literacy is such that 11% of the American people think Joan of Arc was married to Noah. Four out of 10 Christians are unable to name the four gospels. We are in many ways back in the first century in the midst of a culture that still has yet to hear about who we are and what we believe.” As we stand in today, it is appropriate for us to evaluate the past, inventory the present, so we can be successful in the future. Paul said, " … forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto the things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:13-14)
Last year, was a record setting year for our church. By every category of measurement we exceeded all expectations. Numerically, financially, programmatically and spiritually the Lord blessed our efforts. Through World Vision, we fed 32 children from all parts of the world for a whole year. We sent two teams to Haiti on a fact-finding--working missionary trip. There was a church-wide training event for all of the church leaders. We gave $10,000, clothes, furniture and toilet articles to the flood victims in Princeville and Rocky Mount, N.C. During Thanksgiving, we provided two weeks of food for about 70 needy families in the local area. Working with one of the local churches, we painted, fixed up and cleaned up homes for senior and disabled citizens in our community. Working with the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, we gave over $7,000.00 for missionary work in Liberia, India, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and other areas. Through Community Helping Others (CHO), we fed about 50 needy families for two weeks. And the list goes on and on.
Some have now concluded that our church-family needs to rest for a while. Others are saying we need to pause and relish in our successes. Still others want to turn our new state-of-art the building into a museum/monument for all to see. While others are asking, "Now what?" What lies ahead for First Baptist? Which way is the Promised Land? "Is there no balm in Gilead: is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" (Jer.8:22) "Is there no word from the Lord?"
In the periscopes above, God assures Daniel and Habakkuk that the vision would come to pass at the appointed time. God is still speaking. As we face new challenges, new problems, new opportunities, and a world that is rapidly changing, God is still speaking. God gives new visions for new times. The Lord is never without a witness to speak to the contemporary times. There is a word from the Lord! Well, what is he saying to us today?
First, we must make sure that we never forget who has brought us this far along the way. Moses warned God's people of the dangers associated with new-found wealth, success and prosperity. He said, "Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statues, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up. And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God." (Duet. 8:11). How sad it would be, for us who are standing on the top of so many rich blessings, to forget our Lord. We must be deliberate and intentional its our praise and thanksgiving to God for all his blessings toward us individually and as a church-family. We do not want to be found guilty of leaving our first love.
Second, we must prepare ourselves for a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-racial and multi-national congregation. Paul writing to the church at Galatia declared, 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond or free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.' (Gal. 3:28) Paul is not calling for unisex or for people to discard or deny their God-given particularity and uniqueness. What he is saying is that differences are to be celebrated, not avenues to discriminate or subjugate. In a sense, for those of us "in Christ," what we have in common inward is far greater than the minor differences we have outward, yet we are to honor each other's uniqueness. While our church will remain Afro-centric in its orientation (Because of who I am.), it must be intentionally inclusive. We must be proactive in our attempt to breakdown superficial barriers that tend to divide God's people.
Third, we must expand our evangelism efforts to include the Internet, interactive television and other technological mediums. To his disciples, Jesus said, " … Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matt 4:19) Any good fisherman knows that, if you want to catch fish, you must go to where the fish are. Post moderns are on the Internet, in the chat rooms, in cyberspace and other non-traditional places. We too, must dare to go into un-chartered waters, if we want to catch fish. The message (bait) is the same -Jesus saves. However, we must package the message in the language of the fish (or postmodern). In other words, we must learn fish-talk. Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32) He said lift him up, but he left it to us to choose the method!
Fourth, we must due to review the policies and practices of our church, to ensure full participation of women and young people. Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed." (Luke 4:18, TEV) The church should never bind what Christ has set free. While we still "see through a glass darkly" we must always be seeking God's will. We must not fear the truth-for it is the Truth that will make us free. (John 8:32) If we are open, it is the Spirit that will lead us to all truth. (John 16:13) When we are Spirit led, changes can be made in harmony and in unity.
Fifth, we must acquire more space for educational and administrative activities and for additional staff: There are many possible solutions to this problem. We can add-on to the present structure on the east side, build another building on the large grassy area, find another building or build on the another piece of property. Just as God led us into this present edifice, if we allow him, he will guide us in this endeavor. I hear some saying, "Don't we already have enough debt?" But, in this case, they're asking the wrong question. What we should ask is, "What does God want us to do?" Doing God's will should always overshadow the difficulty of the task! We are called to be faithful. Can you imagine the children of Israel calling a church meeting to decide what they were going to do when they were at the Red Sea? Mountains on both sides, Pharaoh's army behind them and the sea in front of them. "Let's have a fundraiser and get money enough to build abridge across the sea." While this solution seemed reasonable on the human level, this action would probably have them slaves in Egypt again. They wanted to walk over, God allowed them to walk through.
Sixth, we must establish a Community Development Center (CDC). This organization would be an arm of the church, like the credit union. It would be incorporated with non-profit status. ACTS, Patterns, Male Recidivism, Incarcerated Aftercare, a senior citizen program and other community-based and church-enhancing activities would be coordinated by a full time director with staff.
Seventh, we must move ahead with the establishment of an accredited and first class elementary school. Then, we would establish an accredited and degree granting theological school.
Finally, we must provide for the following: Strengthen families and marriages, with greater emphasis on fatherhood; Provide spiritual development for the congregation. Assist the members to move from membership to discipleship. Can we do all these things? Why should we involve ourselves in all these things? Because the people before us had a vision and we had the land to build our present building.
Let me quickly admit, there is no way we can do all these things! But, God can! Praise the Lord ! We do have a destination, a land that has been promised. God is still leading with his cloud and his fire! There is a vision! There is a vision! We will not perish!
Copyright © 2000 by
FBC Online