Are you all in? These four small words hold the key to a successful ministry.
I had the privilege to observe an awesome ministry who distribute goods to the less fortunate and offer spiritual guidance. It was a sight to see. The team was well equipped, well trained, and performed their mission with excellence. As a volunteer, there was no doubt what we were doing and why we were doing it. The top leaders bled the vision and their passion poured out on all who were there. Because of this unified commitment, the ministry was able to duplicate it's efforts from city to city. It operated as a fine tuned oiled machine. It was an eye opener.
Recently, our long time friend and Evangelist asked a large group of leaders at Word of Life this question, "Are you all in"?
He observed from his own experience in ministry that a team that agrees with Vision 2020 is not enough. To be truly successful, due to the magnitude of our unique vision, the carriers of our vision must operate as one. Chief promoters staying on task and steering the ship towards one specific goal. A unity so strong that we become a fine tuned oiled machine. All who come in contact with us need to fully get what we are doing and why we are doing it. As with the ministry I observed, who help the needy all over the world, our select team, like they did, must bleed the vision.
Many churches have a certain specialty that they are passionate about. It is important to realize that not every local body can do it all. It is admirable to assist others in their efforts and vice versa. That is how the Body of Christ accomplishes more for the Kingdom. However, the path to duplicate a vision is more difficult. It takes concentrated efforts on the task at hand until it is able to be successfully duplicated. Fulfilling John 17:21 is what we would like to see reproduced from city to city.
More specifically we would like to organize a team to spread the call to Vision2020 to as many as possible in the body of Christ. Thankfully one thing we can all be unified over is the great commission! There is, however, a distinction between people who support Vision 2020 and those who become part of the fine tuned oiled machine that live, eat and breath it. It will be the later working as one who will automatically spread their passion to all they come in contact with. Because what ever is on the inside of us will also get into the people we influence.
There is an all in level of commitment that is needed to fulfill the call upon this house. The call is too massive, too important, and too hated by the enemy to succeed with anything less. The team God is cultivating are leaders who are all in. We need to own it, promote it, and bleed it. God is bringing this to pass - a unified team with a sincere and consistent focus. As this is fine tuned, the body will observe this clarity of purpose due to our solidarity and will emulate it.
The word talks about a season of strengthening that which remains. All over the world the church is being shaken and decisions are being made. If advancing Vision 2020 were not so vital to the heart of God it would not be so serious.
But unity among believers is vital and souls are serious.
We are so excited to see what lies ahead as we let the Lord put together His team at Word of Life. Others are confirming to us how important it is to honor and protect wholeheartedly this huge responsibility given by God. Praise God so many are all in!
Think about it - How can we excite others to implement this into their church and also keep up Vision 2020 giving in our local church so that we continue to support effective soulwinning crusades oversees? How can we successfully blend churches, honor men and women of God, and add support workers into hurting ministries? How can we encourage all Christians to put the great commission a higher priority as Jesus commanded us to do? How can we be an on-track multi-site church that all speak the same thing when it comes to our vision? How can we become good enough to reproduce these efforts city to city? How can we ensure that we do not lead in a different, albeit good direction?
By being all in!
Some are needed to support this vision. Others are needed to multiply the vision.
Which one are you?
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Vision 2020 - Unity for the Sake of Souls.
