Vision #2

Before reading thisyou may findi it helpful to read Vision #1 as its will be a helpful back drop..... Last time I talked a bit about some emergent models as de-constructive models and how these in theory in my view they can be un-helpful to Vision and being in passionate of pursuit of vision. This is not a "we shouldn't de-construct" church models its just a let make sure we re-construct even if thats not reconstruction which even vaguely resembles the model before (although I suspect it will not be hugely different in the end) The problem we can fall into is that as "post-modern" and "post-evangelical" movements and people come about it can very easily be "post-hope", cynical, confused people who are just doing enough in holding on. Now Im not condeming this position, Ive been there many times, but we shoudnt create churches around our commonolity of fustration is what Im trying to offer. The problem with this position is, its a human condition not a constant place for us to reside in and certainly not a situation for us to create a church around. The Gospel is a World changing Gospel, its full of brokeness yes, but its also full of Vision, Hope, Faith, Purity and a God centred Optimism. We need to be a people, and I pray God would continually mould me into a person that goes through the valleys still running out of the other side with Vision. Challenges are not meant to taint us in the way they so easily can, we can come out with wisdom, but often they steal that Joy, Hope and Optimism which the Gospel inspires. Community is something I believe in, but its not the centre of my life, as people re-discovering Gods design in us that we long for meaningful, and purposeful community shouldn't make us exalt community as "the way, the truth and the light" we need to recognise God has ordained community to work FOR HIS GLORY not for this concept "community". In some final thoughts in this section of thoughts on Vision, I personally would love to spend my life "enjoying God" being intellectual in thinking about God and how to live for God, its in my nature to be inquisitive and to theorise, I love thinking, and these are all good things in thier right place, but Im overwhelmed that the gospel is a gospel which inspires action from those who store it in their hearts..to finish is a great quote that Roger Ellis said last week (in bold) but I thought the stuff around it was just as inspiring, and also James 2: 14-17 James 2: 14-17 (the message) Faith in Action 14Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? 15For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved 16and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup--where does that get you? 17Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? William Booth "How can anybody with spiritual eyesight talk of having no call, when there are such multitudes around them who never hear a word of God, and never intend to; who can never hear, indeed, without the sort of preacher who will force himself upon them? Can a man keep right in his own soul who can see all that, and yet stand waiting for a call to preach? Would they wait so for a call to help anyone to escape from a burning building, or to snatch a sinking child from a watery grave? Does not growth in grace, or even ordinary growth of intelligence, necessarily bring with it that deepened sense of eternal truths which must intensify the conviction of duty to the perishing world?Does not an unselfish love, the love that goes out towards the unloving, demand of a truly loving soul immediate action for the salvation of the unloved? And are there not persons who know that they possess special gifts, such as robust health, natural eloquence, or power of voice, which specially make them responsible for doing something for souls?And yet I do not at all forget, that above and beyond all these things, there does come to some a special and direct call, which it is peculiarly fatal to disregard, and peculiarly strengthening to enjoy and act upon. I believe that there have been many eminently holy and useful men who never had such a call; but that does not at all prevent anyone from asking God for it, or blessing Him for His special kindness when He gives it.The call, at any rate, had come for him. It was a call from Heaven, and from humanity as well."