Vision is the word I use to describe why<\/em><\/strong> a congregation exists. The big huge purpose of the church is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.<\/em> But that mission statement is a purpose bigger than any congregation can fulfill on its own. Vision is the particularization of the mission in a specific community of Christians at a specific time. It deals with two questions that have real, but constantly evolving answers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEveryone and everything\u201d are the answers about the mission of Jesus Christ, but your congregation has a particular role in that eternal mission of God to the world in Jesus Christ. It matters tremendously that your congregation know the answers to those two questions, because vision arises out of them, and vision is the motive energy of a vital congregation. Without a clear and articulate vision, we will be acting like church, but we will not be church.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy\u201d matters. It is the difference between what Wesley called \u201cthe form of religion\u201d and the life-giving world changing thing itself.<\/p>\n Watch this\u00a0good illustration \u2013<\/p>\n\n