Now, more than ever, people in the church you serve are looking for leadership. For a clear way forward. For something that will help them be less afraid.
In short, they want a vision of the future.
But what do you do if you’re the pastor and you can’t see the next step any clearer than you did yesterday?
Does A Great Church Require A Unique Vision?
For years, I’ve been told “You can’t have a great church without a great vision.” And “you can’t have a great vision unless the pastor (always the pastor) casts it with clarity.”
And now as we face the next several months, even years, with basic activities such as gathering, singing, receiving communion and church dinners in question, the pressure for the pastor to have a visionary answer is even greater.
This is not a new challenge. It’s heightened now, to be sure. But it’s not new.
Don’t Know What To Do? Do What You Know
So what does a pastor do when they try desperately to catch a vision from God, only to come up short?
How about this. Do what pastors (along with apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers) are called to do. Equip God’s people to do the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Preach, teach and live as though the priesthood of believers is a real thing. Because it is.
When people tell us our church can’t be great without a great vision, they’re right.
The good news is, every church already has a vision. And a commission. And a commandment.
It’s in the New Testament.
A Common Vision
It’s okay if the only vision your church has is to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. They’ve been working just fine for 2,000 years and counting.
It’s also okay if, in addition to that, God gives some pastors a big, meta-narrative, project-oriented vision for everyone to get behind. But it’s not necessary.
It turns out God has given you a vision for the church you pastor. It just happens to be the same as the vision he’s given every local church.
Love God, love others and share the amazing story of salvation through Jesus.
That simple, profound vision may not be unique. But Jesus didn’t call us to be unique, he called us to be faithful.
And simple faithfulness from a loving pastor may be what churches need now more than ever.
For more resources on leading a smaller congregation through uncertain times, check out SPARK Online at KarlVaters.com.
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