We talk a great deal about vision in Christian
circles. Many hours are spent on developing
vision statements, buying books on vision-casting, and attending conferences on
identifying and communicating our vision. In
practice, however, we tend to lose sight of the vision that makes the church
not only great but essential. In our
efforts to be exceptional, we just become more mundane.
The terminology we use has a lot to do with this. In talking about “church,” we too often limit
it to a building, a set of persons (members), or sometimes to clergy leaders
(especially in sacramental traditions). We
tend to want to domesticate or narrow the understanding of the church so that
we can deal with it more effectively or force it into submission. In so doing, we lower our sight from the
horizon
and look down to
the cracks in the sidewalk, fearing that we will stumble.
Those who have had a greater vision of the church down through
the ages have found bold, sweeping terms to describe the church—“the Body of
Christ,” “a royal priesthood,” “vanguard
of the Kingdom,” “God’s new creation,” “the city of God,” or “a contrast community.” These terms point us to a more radical,
transforming mission for the church.
Perhaps we accomplish so little because our vessel is so
small. God can only bless when we open ourselves
to God’s blessing.
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