Is it from God?

Hey Element Church! I posted here and here on making sure that what we do in church is actually God asking us to do it. That our "vision" for a church or ministry IS the call of God. While those two posts definitely didn't cover or answer all the possible variables in the call of God, or hearing the voice of God, I still believe it's true. We shouldn't move unless we are dead sure God is behind it. The Israelites didn't move in the wilderness until the cloud lifted and went before them. Moses' vision to lead the people of Israel was ludicrous, but God was behind it. Joshua's vision of taking on Jericho was a death sentence, yet by simply walking God showed up. Nehemiah's vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem was laughed at, yet in 52 days it was done. How do we know if our vision is from God?

We have some major decisions coming our way at Element Church. In fact, over the course of the next week some of the biggest decisions I've had to make as a leader will occur. Second guessing takes place. Sleepless nights. I dream a lot about decisions while I sleep, and I've done that. God has given us a vision to be and do certain things at Element Church, and with that it brings LOTS of uncertainty. It brings risk. It brings fear. I read lots of other pastors blogs. I don't agree with everything I read, or everything these pastors believe. If I only read or listened to people that totally agreed with me, how could I be stretched? I could I be SOLID in what I believe? So keep that in mind as I share what I read on another blog this week. Now, while this is not a "dead set recipe" for knowing, I thought it was some good insight. This is from Perry Noble.

How do you know if your vision is from God? Great question…here are a few suggestions…

• If you feel confident that you can accomplish what is in front of you with no problem at all…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If no one is angry at you…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If you don’t have to ask anyone to sacrifice to make the vision come true…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If religious people are not steaming at you, blogging about you and/or leaving your church…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If you have the money in the bank to do what God has asked you church to do…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If every step is perfectly designed and nothing happens to totally throw you off along the way…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If someone doesn’t try to talk you out of what you are about to attempt…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If you don’t stay up at night thinking about the vision…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If your vision is in contradiction to God’s Word…then you didn’t hear from God. (And no, you didn’t get a “special revelation” that gave you permission to trump His Word!)
• If you know all of the answers…then you didn’t hear from God.

Something to think about,

Jeff

The Tour

We're hosting our second "Tour" this Sunday for newcomers to Element Church. We have 40 registered so far. (Not all are newcomers) The Tour is a great way for us to share the history, mission, vision and strategy of Element Church on a more intimate level. We are introducing table hosts to The Tour this month. We have some core Elementers who will be table hosts for the newcomers at the dinner.

The Tour meets at LCCC (Laramie County Community College) at 12:15 the second Sunday of every month. We provide the food, childcare and "entertainment".

The last one was a blast. It was so fun to re-share the history of where God brought us. The Tour is going to be just as beneficial for us as a staff as it is for the newcomers. It is SO GOOD to recount the vision, mission and strategy we believe God has given us. It keeps US reminded of why we do what we do.

In the life of the church there will ALWAYS be people who will question the vision God gave you. They will question your strategy that GOD gave you. They will question your mission and values that, who? GOD gave you. For a church to thrive and be successful over the long haul, the leadership must be loyal to the vision, mission and values FIRST. Why, because GOD gave it to you. If it's not of God guess what? It won't work!

Ok, from a Tour update to talking about vision. I do thought often.

Following Christ,

Jeff