Those are three words that are often used in leadership conversations. They mean different things to different people. I will talk a little about what they mean to me. What I believe is that unity in a church family is built around the work of the Holy Spirit and the love of the members for one another. The problem is most churches would say they have that…the Holy Spirit and love for each other. They would say it even after they just experienced a major split. They might say it even in a church where there was little evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit or love for one another. I do think that true unity is built by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Maybe instead of “presence” we might say “president” of the Holy Spirit. Is He the resident president of your life and that of your church? Or, is he more of the resident presence…you know, like the tales of ghost in old houses?
Once a church family has the unity only the presence of the Holy Spirit and a true love for one another can create, they are ready to experience life changing unity. Now back to my three words for today: vision, mission and values. People who have the same vision move in the same direction. They might not see things exactly the same but they are looking in the same direction. What does God’s preferred future for us look like? That is a vision. I think God’s vision is that JIBC develops into a strong, healthy church that makes disciples that makes disciples that change our community in a positive way. We make a difference because He made a difference in us. I am not naïve enough to believe everyone has this vision. My goal is to make sure this is the vision of the leaders and trust they will help lead those they influence to have the same vision. That is a big step toward unity. The second word is mission. JIBC does not have a mission separate from the mission of God. God is in business to reach, redeem and restore a lost and broken world. We are in business to join Him. That is our mission. We do this by reaching people for the family of God; helping them mature to become more like Jesus; equipping them to serve His body, the local church; send them out into the community on mission; and to worship Him in all we do. You will never truly have unity with JIBC if that is not what you are working toward. That is the purpose of His church. The last word is values. You value what you celebrate and you celebrate what you value. In church, what do you get excited about enough to celebrate? How about your connection group? What does your group really get excited about. I hope it is things like seeing baptisms; going out into the community to serve; praying for one another; worshipping with feeling; helping someone younger become a follower. When we have similar values, there will be continued unity, love for one another, the presence and the president of the Holy Spirit.
This week’s message is from Romans 10: A Mission of Mercy that Involves Action.
Love you in Christ,
Pastor Tom
