The Vision of the Church

The vision of the church is always the vision of Jesus for the church. We cannot make it less. We cannot make it more. The vision of the church is not evangelism. It is not bible teaching. It is not serving the poor. IT IS ALL OF THESE AND MORE. Now it is possible for us to say that the church leaders have received a vision. We personally can receive a vision. Paul personally received a vision. I can say things like - my vision for the church is that we become a powerhouse for prayer. But please understand that it is not the complete vision for the church. My vision is just part of the larger picture. Sometimes we need to combine all our visions together. I do not need to throw away my vision to fulfil yours. God's purposes are much bigger than what any one of us could do by ourselves. We are the body of Christ. If only we would realize that the different churches in a local place are not competing each other but complementing each other. The only line I can draw is when a church does not glorify Jesus and leads its people into the bondage of self-glory instead of the glorious freedom that comes from exalting the grace of God. A church cannot be truly called a church if it does not lift up Jesus.