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Vision200: The Second Word Is “Grow”
Last week I shared the first major theme that emerged from our Vision200 listening process:
Come.
We heard a deep desire to become a church that welcomes people exceptionally well.
Hospitality matters because every person matters to God.
But welcoming people is only the beginning.
The second major theme that emerged from Vision200 is:
Grow.
Over the latter part of the twentieth century and into the first decades of the twenty-first, many churches have poured enormous energy into learning how to grow churches.
We have developed strategies.
We have built systems.
We have studied leadership.
We have measured attendance.
We have learned how to attract crowds.
And here is what, sadly, has happened:
We have become good at growing churches that do not grow people.
That is one of the reasons the Vision200 observations were so important.
Our congregation was not primarily asking for more programs or more activity. Again and again, people expressed a longing for deeper discipleship—for stronger Bible study, richer prayer, authentic mentoring relationships, meaningful small groups, and practical ways to become more like Jesus.
That is why one of our Vision200 commitments is so simple:
We Will Make Disciples Intentionally.
This Sunday, we will explore a question that lies at the heart of that commitment:
Why is intentional discipleship so difficult?
Peter actually walked on water.
But he only walked while his eyes remained fixed on Jesus.
THINK ABOUT THIS WITH ME…
WHAT IF…
…people do not need another program or a study or a sermon about following Jesus?
WHAT IF…
…what they need… is Jesus?
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