Church Vision
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Church Vision
Church Vision
18 Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,
But happy is he who keeps the law.
Vision:
The church is in our age viewed as a business…non profit…but a business non the less, and it would not be unfair to say that there is some very profitable “non-profit”.
With the church viewed as a business then the Pastor is viewed as a CEO of types with a board and it’s church members as share holders (especially those who tithe).
This is where the commercialism, the programs, the para-church, the music, light show, entertaining thought (sermons) and on and on all not only enter the church but become necessary for the churches very existence. This is where the church segregates to better zero in on where each group of share holders are at and or to appease or offer perks to certain share holders.
The heart of the church in this senerio is to gain more share holders and keep the ones you have. The church works to birth this heart within its members and the natural result is that the church works to please its members. What pleases its members? Simple…
1. Does the church fit my needs? Does it meet me where I am at?
2. Does the church have a vision/strategy to grow larger and thus offer more? (but not too large to where it doesn’t feel intimate any more.)
I could go on with this, but my point is the error is in the premise…it is in the vision or even the lack of vision.
This is not to say that those in this model do not love God, know Jesus or are not redeemed…no not at all. This is observing with the question of how do we live as the church of Christ in light of His saving Word.
The church is a family and the church is a flock. It is a family under the Lordship of Jesus and a flock under the Shepherding guidance of the same. The church does not seek it’s own, but seeks the Kingdom of God and the righteousness of Christ our Lord. The church does not commercialize but lives genuine. It does not program, it disciples. The church does not preform wether it be music, light show or entertaining speech. The church teaches, the church worships, the church remembers, the church gathers under the Word. Music, speaking and so on is used in this, not for entertainment value or appeasement of the masses, but for edification in/by the Word of God. The church does not gather to segregate. The church gathers to edify, to encourage in righteousness, and to disciple. The discipleship is not in children activities but it is in being a follower of Christ. I’ll say it this way, the shepherd gathers the flock together but separates the goat from the sheep. Why do we gather together and separate the sheep from the sheep or the sheep from the shepherds? Get the picture?
14 But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—
4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.
OTHER RECOURSES:
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/should-children-sit-through-big-church
How To Help Children Delight In Church:
https://ncfic.org/resources/200136
Psalm 122:2
1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Children grow affections for what parents hold affection for. You want to give children affections for Holy things....Do you have good affections? Affections for The Word, The gathering, songs of the faith, good literature.
We don’t want to train our kids to sit quietly through church but to have affection for it.
You are training your children at home.
schooling
clothing
books
T.V.
Wrong affections can quickly become idols
Make Sunday a day highly esteemed at which the other days are used to prepare for it.
The training ground for children to learn how to be in church is family worship.
…if your children are in control at home then church will be a miserable place. The home is where both discipline and discipleship begin.
Expect child training issues to always show up at church.
Discipline in the home is key to winning on Sunday morning.
Let your children know your expectations
sitting still
no slouching
no looking at watch or cell
no talking
sing...
Insist on first time obedience
If the child is disobedient then remove them and administer discipline.
Identify rebellion (rolling the eyes, arch backing, squirming, refusing to be still)
Review content of Sunday text…help your kids to know what they are going to hear. Children love the movies that they watch the most, they like hearing what they are familiar …therefore familiarize them.
HELP THEM TO BECOME ENGAGED: CHURCH TAKES PREPARATION
During church is take an 8x11 sheet of paper and make concept boxes where they can draw the concept that they hear for later discussion. This enables them to hear, see, write and then discuss.
As a parent, look for words that they don’t know in the sermon and teach them to them.
Learn the songs that you will sing and teach them to your children. Teach them what they mean.
IS IT FAIR TO ASK A 1-5 YEAR OLD TO SIT OBEDIENT THROUGH CHURCH?
If there is a problem with children then perhaps the type of discipline that is being used is incorrect. Perhaps increase severity of discipline. Work on better communication of expectations. Use role playing to help demonstrate proper behavior.