14th January 2024
Where there is no vision
How would your life be different without access to your car? Without the availability of motor vehicles, many of us would not be able to get to work, school, or even church. Cars have broadened our opportunities and have proved an enormous convenience. The ease of having a vehicle has not always existed. In 1769 a Frenchman named Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot built the first horseless carriage. It was a huge three-wheeled, steam-powered carriage that maxed out at a speed of 1 kilometre an hour. The horseless carriage was very expensive, noisy, and slower than any horse. During his time, most people did not see the benefit of Cugnot’s invention. However, that steam-powered engine sparked a revolution.
We need to remember the power of vision. That it is okay to start small, with an idea that seems insignificant, and a bit clumsy at the outset. From an embryonic vision, a great revolution may be birthed.
Proverbs is a book of wisdom written primarily by King Solomon under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In Prov 29:18 (ASV) we read ‘Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint…’ Without a clear vision from the Lord, there are consequences. The imagery of the people being stripped of protective armour and thus vulnerable to attack and destruction is conveyed in the Proverbs passage. And the result of this environment is turbulence, confusion, and rebellion.
The movement toward a shared vision galvanizes people; it gives them purpose. A clear vision provides focus. Vision unites and inspires. For the past several years, Grace Communion International (GCI) has used the visionary slogan ‘Living and Sharing the Gospel.’ This has been a strong guiding statement. I give our members high marks for pressing toward this lofty calling. As church President, I want to build on this vision. Our emphasis going forward is ‘Healthy Church.’ We simply want GCI Churches to be the very best expression of the church of Jesus Christ they can be! You will continue to hear and read a lot about Healthy Church in the months ahead, and it is my personal prayer that this vision will become a reality.
Not to be too technical, but I see a nuanced difference in ‘Living and Sharing the Gospel’ and ‘Healthy Church.’ The living and sharing directive subconsciously emphasises the role of the individual Christian, and how they are a witness for Jesus in their individual world. ‘Healthy Church’ on the other hand intimates that we do this together as a corporate body of believers; working in groups with the synergy of engaging our communities in meaningful ways.
Healthy Church for GCI will become congregations who are better organised, and more
intentional about reaching out to targeted communities where they really have a wonderful opportunity to live and share the gospel as a collective group. And it’s my desire to see this vision for all our churches around the globe.
In a decade’s time, what will our movement toward healthy church become? Perhaps, like in Cugnot’s we may be starting a revolution.
Presented by Greg Williams
About the presenter:
Greg Williams is President of Grace Communion International and lives in North Carolina, USA. Word of Life each Sunday is taken from ‘Speaking of Life’,
(https://www.gci.org/videos/media-speaking-of-life/), a public resource video on the USA website of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
You are welcome to attend one of our local church congregations located throughout the UK and Ireland. For details of your nearest local congregation check on our website, Grace Communion International | Grace Communion International under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church