Vision

At Central We Practice Our ABC’s Daily
Accepting Christ
Building Relationships
Committed to Serving

Emerson once said that "People only see what they are prepared to see."
May God prepare us to see what He wants us to see.

Proverbs says, "Without a vision the people perish." The Apostle Paul was unable to proceed in his ministry until he had a vision of a man from Macedonia calling him. Peter had a vision that "God shows no partiality” and it changed his life. In this post-modern world, the most vital churches are those that can clearly articulate how God is calling them into the future.

Most organizations, companies and businesses develop mission or purpose statements to give direction for their employees. Those organizational leaders wish to instill in their employees the reasons and purpose of the company. This is what we believe in, and this is what we wish to accomplish.

How about the Church? This is actually a very simple concept that only becomes complicated when the vision Jesus gave is blocked by human philosophies and convoluted formulas. Most people do not realize that Jesus has given us the vision for the church in clear, concise, and in an easy to understand format. Look at Jesus’ vision for the church in Matthew 28:18-20:

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

So there is a true vision for the church and there is nothing wrong with applying methods that can relate to the current time in which we live. We can use music, programs, methods and many tools and resources. As long as our sights can remain on the target of fulfilling the God-given vision of fulfilling ALL of the great commission, we are effectively serving the Lord in our ministries.

Anything that can be brought into the line of sight while we remain focused on the command given to the church by Jesus without drifting from our goal of hitting the target is most likely beneficial to the church. Jesus is the one who gave the church the vision and He alone is our Shepherd. If the elders and congregation are following Him, we will fulfill our ministry.

In the very near future the Central Eldership will challenge the congregation in six ways as we continue to serve Him and our community in 2009. It is our prayer to take and live the Great Commission each and every day.