|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Every great work and every great person came under the influence of a vision that changed them and therefore changed others. In the 1960s, John F. Kennedy gave America the vision to place a man on the moon in that decade, in spite of the technological impossibility at the time.
We often reflect on passages in the Bible that lift up the benefit of vision. Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he." First Chronicles 12:32 is well-known for pointing to the children of Issachar, who were "men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do."
Valuable visions build on the past, speak to needs, challenge people, provide guidance, attract involvement, unite efforts, give energy, bring change, and move ministry forward. It is absolutely powerful to be given over to a dream or a purpose bigger than ourselves. That has been the testimony of our journey in the Church of God of Prophecy. Through the years, many in this Church have been gripped by passion, knowing that God had a destiny for this Movement as well as for those individuals who are devoted to this cause. The chemistry of a Movement on a mission is undeniable and often unshakable.
Robert Dale noted in his book Keeping the Dream Alive that any organization steps through cycles. The early group is seized with a "cause," which becomes the motivation for all that is done. This cause brings a surge of energy expressed as passion and attracts even more adherents. The Movement is launched and rockets upward quickly. As the growth continues, there are needs for organization, structure, and policies. The growth level of the Movement gradually slows, as more and more energy is consumed internally. If momentum continues to fade, plateau comes, followed by stagnation, and then decline.
The cure for Movements that find themselves in the stages from plateau on through decline is to recapture the "cause" that once ignited the birth and life of the Movement, originally. If drifting from the "cause" saps life, then restoration of the "cause" brings renewal and life again. The Church of God of Prophecy is currently in such a stage of vision restoration. Our return to the Harvest has begun to restore the force of life to our ministry and Movement. We have already seen the momentum shifting.
Today this Church is aligning itself, more and more, to the call of Harvest and worldwide Kingdom expansion. We are building on our foundation in Christ—His Gospel call, deep holiness convictions, the Pentecostal experience, world mission compassion, "all nations" participation, and hunger for Christian union. What God placed within us as "Divine DNA" more than a century ago is being renewed by the Holy Spirit in this significant hour. Our destiny lies ahead as we join our Savior in the greatest age of reaping this world has ever known. Only we can do our part. May every outpost of ministry through the world network of this Church arise to the "cause and call" of our Lord and King! And may the song on our hearts ring out—"To God be the Glory, both now and forever more."
