“Attempting to lead the people of God without discerning a vision bestowed from Him is like playing a dangerous game. Such actions are not pleasing to God or satisfying His people.”
During a recent interview with the Christian Times, an online Christian newspaper in China, Pastor Wu Minsong (pseudonym), residing in Eastern China, expounded upon how churches should direct their attention towards establishing and fulfilling visions. He examined this topic from five different aspects, delving deep into his insights and opinions.
Firstly, Pastor Wu elaborated on what he believed visions to encompass. "Visions should not be based solely on the desires and aspirations of men, but rather on the blessings and promises of God. Furthermore, pastors leading the church ought to have the ability to differentiate between visions in the broad sense and those termed as narrow-sense visions. 'Broad-sense vision' refers to the overarching direction for the church's overall development, whereas 'narrow-sense vision' pertains to the desires or burdens an individual carries for specific issues. For instance, upon witnessing children suffer from starvation, a Christian may develop a burden in their heart, considering it to be their vision. God bestows a 'broad-sense vision' to the entire church, while a 'narrow-sense vision' is limited to specific individuals. Thus, it is inappropriate to impose one's 'narrow-sense vision' onto others."
"In the event that a church establishes a new vision that is not feasible or realistic, it will lead to dispiritedness and discouragement amongst its members who will eventually become unable to sense the guidance of God over time. Furthermore, such a vision's origin might be questionable, revealing that it has not been disclosed by God. It is therefore imperative for churches to establish visions that are feasible. However, even when the vision is from God, lack of action, indifference or skepticism on the part of man may limit its accomplishment," Pastor Wu stated. He went on to elucidate that some of the "successful" visions may not necessarily be of divine nature but rather dreams developed by humans.
He explained that there exists a distinction between visions and dreams, where dreams stem from human passions and desires, while visions originate from the will and longing of God. If God provides a vision, a foreseeable launch strategy and circumstances that enable steady advancement will be prepared. As such, it will not be unrealistic or irrational based on the wishes of man. Pastor Wu stressed that it was pivotal to adhere to two guidelines when determining if a vision is of divine nature: firstly, it should glorify God, and secondly, it should benefit mankind. "The vision should glorify God on one hand, do good to others and, after its development, it should undergo an assessment to determine the best and worst-case scenarios. After the evaluation, the feasibility of the vision shall be established. Notwithstanding divine revelation given to the church, hard work, and dedication from the congregation shall contribute significantly to the flourishing of the vision."
Pastor Wu referenced a vision granted to Rev. Rick Warren by God many years ago, which called on him to initiate seven distinct ministries that would equip tens of thousands of disciples, establish various schools and gospel groups, create a large evangelical organization, and construct a church for 10,000 followers within a decade. At the time of receiving the vision, only 100 members attended Warren's church. Despite initial skepticism from believers, Warren persisted in sharing the vision with his congregation for two months until they developed unwavering faith in its realization. Pastor Warren subsequently led the entire congregation in fulfilling the vision with divine direction, ultimately accomplishing all seven ministries before the ten-year deadline.
Pastor Wu asserted that pastors must explicate their visions to the congregation accurately and persistently if they wish to see them realized. He said, "Pastors should initially have faith that their visions are divinely inspired so that their congregation can likewise possess such faith. Additionally, pastors ought to inspire the congregation to act on their newfound vision. Therefore, they will fully support the pastor, both in prayer and service. Indeed, visions are the driving force behind genuine service to God among Christian leaders. A vision is not merely a preference but an insight for leaders to serve rightly and be directed toward their calling. Both pastors and the congregation must not give up easily; instead, they should work together in perseverance until the vision is accomplished with divine guidance."
According to Wu's observation, there exist four common misconceptions regarding visions. "Firstly, individuals often regard visions as abstract notions, with only strategies being of substantial value. On the contrary, visions can be fairly practical and achievable. Secondly, people assume that visions represent the agreement of the congregation; however, visions are designed to propagate consensus. Thirdly, people hold the belief that pursuing visions is arduous and would place the church in a challenging position. However, the primary objective of visions is to provide a realistic estimation of the church's future, enabling it to act according to God's intention, which eventually protects the church from any form of jeopardy."
"Fourthly, there is a misconception that if the pastor possesses profound love for God and is committed to leading the church through teaching, preaching, prayers, setting examples, forgiving, and loving, in accordance with biblical teachings, the church would experience growth regardless of whether there is a vision or not. However, the truth is that fruitful and effective pastors must possess a vision. Consequently, it is essential for churches to continuously establish and achieve visions to become healthier and more influential," Pastor Wu concluded.
- Translated by Joyce Leung
“无论任何理由，一旦你想引领上帝子民，却没有他给的异象，就如同在玩危险游戏，这种游戏，既不讨上帝喜悦，也不能让人满意。”
近日，一中国网络基督教报纸基督时报采访了一位来自华东的牧者吴珉松（化名），聊到了教会当重视建立和应用异象的话题。吴牧师从五个方面谈了他的看见与反思。
吴牧师说：“首先，异象不是出于人的梦想和野心，而是出于上帝的祝福与应许。其次，教会牧首要学会区分异象的层次，因为有广义的和狭义的异象。广义的异象是指教会整体发展的大方向，狭义的异象是出于个人领受的具体事情上的感动和负担，比如，因为看到许多孩子没饭吃，然后一个人就迎接这个负担作为他的异象。广义的异象是上帝赋予教会全体的，狭义的异象只适合某一部分人。如果你用狭义的异象去要求所有人遵行是不合适的。”
“倘若一个教会制定了一个新的异象，但它的内容不切实际且没有可行性，最终让参与的人长久看不到上帝的带领，便会一起陷入沮丧和灰心的地步。说明异象的制定并不是出于上帝。异象的制定要有一定的可行性。如果，人在执行上出现不作为，人的怀疑和懒惰等因素，即便异象是来自于上帝的，但最后照样会流产。但也有一部分所谓的成功的异象，它也不一定是出于上帝的，可以是人为的方式创造一种梦想。”吴牧师补充到。
吴牧师表示：“梦想是出于人自己的喜好和愿望，但异象却是出于上帝的愿望和旨意。换句话说，上帝给人的异象，一定是给人预备好了一个可预见的跳板，你能实现阶段性突破的环境，而不是天马行空的人的喜好。”
“衡量异象是否是出于上帝有两个标准：荣神和益人。首先，你所建立和领受的异象得荣耀上帝，并且能够帮助到他人完成异象的制定后，最好的结果怎么样，最坏的结果怎么样？做好评估后，你可以得出一个可行性的结论。但是不管是哪一种出于上帝的异象，基督徒都需要全力以赴去实践与付代价，才会有最后的果效。”
这位牧师提到，上帝有一天给华理克牧师一个异象，内容是未来10年上帝会帮助他建一个万人教堂，要让他培训成千上万的门徒，要办许多学校，开展很多福音小组，要建立一个大型的福音机构等七个方面事工。当他确信这个异象的时候，那个时候他的教会只有 100 多人，他就分享这个异象两个月，前两个阶段大家都持怀疑态度，结果讲到第三个阶段后，会众全部相信和全体支持。最后这位牧师按照上帝给的异象带领全会众付出实践，不到十年时间上帝给的异象的七个部分全部都实现了。
吴牧师分享说：“异象要想成就，要有牧者清晰准确并持续的表达与传递。牧者要相信所领受的异象就是上帝的旨意，让会众也一同在信心里领受。其次是，牧者要鼓励信众在行动中迎接异象。因而，牧者可以充分得到会众的支持、祷告与帮助。真正的事奉是始于异象，对于基督徒领袖而言，异象不是一种选择，而是一种洞见，异象能教导牧者，指引他所事奉的道路。特别要注意的是，牧者与会众需要齐心协力，恒心忍耐，直到上帝帮助成就异象为止，不该轻易放弃。”
吴牧师观察到：“对异象的第一个误解是，人们以为异象是抽象的概念，策略才是详尽的方法，但实际上，异象也可以很实际详尽，具有可操作性。第二个误解是，人们认为异象是看法一致所达成的结果，但真相是，它应该是促使大家有共同的看法；第三个误解是，异象总是充满挑战，让教会陷入到危险之中。但事实上，异象的目的是估量未来的真相，然后实际在这些上帝喜悦的规范中行事，反而是使教会免受危险。”
“第四个误解是，如果牧师非常爱上帝，跟着圣经所教导的带领教，教导传道、祷告、做榜样、饶恕人、爱人等，不论有无异象，教会都会成长。但事实是，有生命果子、有效率的牧者必定是有异象之人。因此，教会需要总是建立异象，达成异象，如此教会才能更加健康有影响力，”他最后说到。
一华东牧者从五点谈：如何认识异象与使命、梦想的区别?
“Attempting to lead the people of God without discerning a vision bestowed from Him is like playing a dangerous game. Such actions are not pleasing to God or satisfying His people.”
During a recent interview with the Christian Times, an online Christian newspaper in China, Pastor Wu Minsong (pseudonym), residing in Eastern China, expounded upon how churches should direct their attention towards establishing and fulfilling visions. He examined this topic from five different aspects, delving deep into his insights and opinions.
Firstly, Pastor Wu elaborated on what he believed visions to encompass. "Visions should not be based solely on the desires and aspirations of men, but rather on the blessings and promises of God. Furthermore, pastors leading the church ought to have the ability to differentiate between visions in the broad sense and those termed as narrow-sense visions. 'Broad-sense vision' refers to the overarching direction for the church's overall development, whereas 'narrow-sense vision' pertains to the desires or burdens an individual carries for specific issues. For instance, upon witnessing children suffer from starvation, a Christian may develop a burden in their heart, considering it to be their vision. God bestows a 'broad-sense vision' to the entire church, while a 'narrow-sense vision' is limited to specific individuals. Thus, it is inappropriate to impose one's 'narrow-sense vision' onto others."
"In the event that a church establishes a new vision that is not feasible or realistic, it will lead to dispiritedness and discouragement amongst its members who will eventually become unable to sense the guidance of God over time. Furthermore, such a vision's origin might be questionable, revealing that it has not been disclosed by God. It is therefore imperative for churches to establish visions that are feasible. However, even when the vision is from God, lack of action, indifference or skepticism on the part of man may limit its accomplishment," Pastor Wu stated. He went on to elucidate that some of the "successful" visions may not necessarily be of divine nature but rather dreams developed by humans.
He explained that there exists a distinction between visions and dreams, where dreams stem from human passions and desires, while visions originate from the will and longing of God. If God provides a vision, a foreseeable launch strategy and circumstances that enable steady advancement will be prepared. As such, it will not be unrealistic or irrational based on the wishes of man. Pastor Wu stressed that it was pivotal to adhere to two guidelines when determining if a vision is of divine nature: firstly, it should glorify God, and secondly, it should benefit mankind. "The vision should glorify God on one hand, do good to others and, after its development, it should undergo an assessment to determine the best and worst-case scenarios. After the evaluation, the feasibility of the vision shall be established. Notwithstanding divine revelation given to the church, hard work, and dedication from the congregation shall contribute significantly to the flourishing of the vision."
Pastor Wu referenced a vision granted to Rev. Rick Warren by God many years ago, which called on him to initiate seven distinct ministries that would equip tens of thousands of disciples, establish various schools and gospel groups, create a large evangelical organization, and construct a church for 10,000 followers within a decade. At the time of receiving the vision, only 100 members attended Warren's church. Despite initial skepticism from believers, Warren persisted in sharing the vision with his congregation for two months until they developed unwavering faith in its realization. Pastor Warren subsequently led the entire congregation in fulfilling the vision with divine direction, ultimately accomplishing all seven ministries before the ten-year deadline.
Pastor Wu asserted that pastors must explicate their visions to the congregation accurately and persistently if they wish to see them realized. He said, "Pastors should initially have faith that their visions are divinely inspired so that their congregation can likewise possess such faith. Additionally, pastors ought to inspire the congregation to act on their newfound vision. Therefore, they will fully support the pastor, both in prayer and service. Indeed, visions are the driving force behind genuine service to God among Christian leaders. A vision is not merely a preference but an insight for leaders to serve rightly and be directed toward their calling. Both pastors and the congregation must not give up easily; instead, they should work together in perseverance until the vision is accomplished with divine guidance."
According to Wu's observation, there exist four common misconceptions regarding visions. "Firstly, individuals often regard visions as abstract notions, with only strategies being of substantial value. On the contrary, visions can be fairly practical and achievable. Secondly, people assume that visions represent the agreement of the congregation; however, visions are designed to propagate consensus. Thirdly, people hold the belief that pursuing visions is arduous and would place the church in a challenging position. However, the primary objective of visions is to provide a realistic estimation of the church's future, enabling it to act according to God's intention, which eventually protects the church from any form of jeopardy."
"Fourthly, there is a misconception that if the pastor possesses profound love for God and is committed to leading the church through teaching, preaching, prayers, setting examples, forgiving, and loving, in accordance with biblical teachings, the church would experience growth regardless of whether there is a vision or not. However, the truth is that fruitful and effective pastors must possess a vision. Consequently, it is essential for churches to continuously establish and achieve visions to become healthier and more influential," Pastor Wu concluded.
- Translated by Joyce Leung
Lead People with Vision, Says Pastor
