A (Non)Compelling Vision
Jesus’ vision while he was here on earth was not very compelling. He was always talking about dying a violent death and inviting his followers to join him in it. It’s no surprise that no strategic guide for church growth includes this as part of its message.
Make no mistake, there is no shortage of vision in churches these days, it’s just that it doesn't speak about death. Rather, the talk is often about “building community” or “serving neighborhoods” or “continued growth.” It seems these things are opposed to the idea of death, but they are actually bound to it.
Jesus said, “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Growth comes from death. As a matter of fact so does serving and even building community. I learned (and am learning this) everyday.
Not long ago my wife and I had some friends live with us for a little over six months, then we had some other friends move right next door. It was our plan to live in community. We found out that it was glorious and difficult.
The difficult side was, and still is, that I don’t always get my space or what I want. Sure, it sounds selfish because it is. Sometimes I just want to do what I want to do. However, when you make the choice to truly “build community” your life ceases to be only about you.
This means I have to die myself and my selfish desires and choose hospitality and generosity. It’s only when this happens that life in community is glorious. Death of self precedes life in community, and the more one lives in community the more that brings about the death of self. It's an endless cycle.
And what about serving our neighbors? This is not just bringing giving them a cup of sugar when they are running short. It’s identifying with them in times of brokenness and sorrow as well as moments of joy and celebration. To identify with another person in her pain is to admit that we have brokenness too - it's allowing something to die.
To truly serve, live, and love like Jesus our attitudes must become like his. That is we must be willing to follow him to his death and die with him. This is what Paul told the church in Philippi in the second chapter of his letter to them (read it here).
Perhaps all the vision being cast is not bad or wrong; it’s just starting in the wrong place. For if we are to build something, continue to grow, or serve anyone it has to begin with death - or else we remain but a single seed.