The vision that guides my ministry: Big Dreams – Great Teams = Vital Congregations.
This vision is based on three basic but critical questions.
- How strong is my foundation?
- How big is my dream?
- How good is my team?
A strong foundation depends upon my having a continuous ongoing relationship with God that includes prayer, Bible study and a willingness to listen to the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit.
Dreaming big dreams present a continuous challenge to fully rely on God. If your dreams aren’t big, you don’t need or appreciate what God provides.
Great teams accomplish far more than any individual. There are only so many tasks I can accomplish; so many people I can pastor; so many needs I can satisfy.
Vital congregations encourage strong foundations, dream big dreams and build great teams as they work together to focus on making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This is also the mission statement of our United Methodist Church.
Big Dreams – Great Teams = Vital Congregations
- How strong is my foundation?
- How big is my dream?
- How good is my team?
Paul writes: “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
- There are different gifts but the same Spirit is the source of them all.
- There are different kinds of service but we serve the same Lord.
- God works in different ways but it is the same God.
Three times Paul speaks of a variety of gifts but they all come from the same Lord. Why? So we can help each other. “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”
Different gifts, different kinds of service, working in different ways all provided by the same God so we can help each other.
When our foundation is strong, we are open to God’s Holy Spirit working within us.
When our dreams are big, we are challenged to make a difference in our community and world.
When our teams are good we are actively making use of the spiritual gifts of those people God sends our way.
The result is Vital Congregations making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Vital Congregations provide an atmosphere of encouragement and love to improve our relationship with God through worship, prayer, Bible study and small group participation.
Vital Congregations help you discover your unique gifts and talents and use them toward a ministry of serving and helping others within your family, at work, at church, in your community and around the world.
Big Dreams – Great Teams = Vital Congregations
- How strong is your foundation?
- How big is your dream?
- How good is your team?
This is a potent reminder of why we exist and why we need God.
Amen.
