“They can’t see that they can’t see.”
(pastor speaking about their congregation)
“I can see for miles.”
(The Who)
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever else you get, get insight.”
(Proverbs 4.7, NRSVue)
I really dislike going for my annual eye exam. The eyedrops! Aargh. The bright light burning in my skull as my doctor (my neighbor nonetheless) says, “Hold still please.” And the continued dilation as those dang eyedrops slowwwwwwly wear off.
I know, I know. As one who suffers from presbyopia (NOT an aversion to presbyterianism!), I need my vision checked regularly. I will probably have to get new glasses, too. My exam will point out how my vision has changed over the past year. Such is the fate of the person with wonky vision.
Churches need a vision check-up every now and again, and a vision check-up is most needed during the interim/transition time. Why? Pastoral leadership overtly and subtly shapes a congregation’s vision, and when a pastor leaves the church’s vision usually changes.
For any group or institution, vision is what motivates them/it to move into the future. For a church, it is seeing or discerning where God is leading. A congregation’s vision leads to certain ways of being church, vision shapes what a congregations does.
Mission is what a congregation does to fulfill its vision. When vision isn’t clear, mission tends to be disorganized. As the saying puts it, “If you don’t know here you’re going, any road will get you there.” And THAT isn’t good. Scattered mission can wear out a congregation; helter skelter activity can become exhausting “work” versus spiritually uplifting care and concern. You can’t get any traction when there’s no unifying vision.
The Open Door council/session is meeting for a “refraction and traction” retreat. We’ll address: How has Open Door’s vision changed? What ways will this congregation live out its vision? And what competencies must the next pastor possess to help the congregation see and live its vision and mission? Important stuff so keep us in prayer. (The session’s work will be shared with the congregation in future “discernment sessions” yet to be scheduled.)