What's our vision as a church?
You may have heard me say it before but I tend to run in the opposite direction from church vision statements. I get a little worried at talk of church vision - like, we’re going to do this and that and be this and that in the city. I think there’s definitely a place for vision casting and absolutely dreaming into the future but I’ve seen so many churches spending an inordinate amount of time on crafting church vision statements they have no time for church mission! Also, in my experience, vision never entirely comes to fruition the way we think it will. Vision is difficult to quantify.
For that reason, I like to talk more about purpose. What is the church’s purpose? I prefer to talk about who we’re going to be rather than what we’re going to do. What we do flows out of who we are, so in many ways our vision is restricted by who we are, how we follow Jesus and how we’re personally stepping into the call of God for our lives. I think we have more precedence and more spiritual authority for the church’s purpose than its vision. If you’re not sold as a church on why you’re even here I don’t think it’s possible to have clarity of vision.
At Life Church, I'm entrusting what we will do in what we will become. What gifts are in the house, what has God given us and how faithful are we with what's in our hands?
Our purpose as stands: it is our desire to express the heart of God in the city by spreading his love, joy and peace. We long for God’s kingdom and glory to be known in our city and in our time. Our purpose is not removed from Jesus’ but a continuation of his ministry and time on earth - “to make disciples of all nations”
That is to follow Jesus and all his ways. Because of this, we desire to live the Jesus way. Literally following in his footsteps by:
prioritising presence through the word, worship and prayer and practising his ways by living sacrificially and generously to redeem and restore Edinburgh.
We exist to glorify and make known the name of Jesus both in the lives of the found and the lost. In discipling people in the way of Jesus we live to serve the city and are concerned for its flourishing.
I don't know what you make of that but it seems to me to be more than enough to be getting on with. Will you join us?
