We preach, proclaim, and spread the Gospel but, the Gospel is more than a message. Philippians 1:27 says, “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Similar to citizens of a country obeying the laws of the land, so those saved by the power of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16), also live by the Gospel. It’s the foundation for living as Christ-followers right now, right where we are, as well as in our eternal home. Consequently, any vision and goals set for His Church must be grounded in and resultantly reflect the Gospel.
Visions and Goals Grounded in the Gospel will Reflect the Gospel
1) Do your vision and goals reflect the power of God?
Since the Gospel is the power of God (Rom. 1:16), visions and goals grounded in the Gospel will demonstrate reliance on God “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20).
2) Do your vision and goals portray a righteous God?
We must remember that “in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith” (Rom. 1:17). Consequently, the end does not justify the means. How we arrive at our vision, cast our vision, and strive toward it matters. Because of the Gospel, we become righteous in Christ Jesus, not because of anything we have done but because of grace through faith. As we conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, the state of our lives more and more aligns with our standing in Him.
3) Do your vision and goals promote peace?
What makes the Gospel such Good News is that it is a gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15). Not only does the Gospel provide a bridge of peace between sinful humans and a holy God, reconciling us to Him, but it also paves the way for us to be at peace with one another (Eph. 2:13-18). Let’s not undo the unity promoted by the Gospel (Phil. 1:27) by advancing our own agendas at any cost.
4) Do your vision and goals give people hope?
The Gospel holds out a hope (Col. 1:23) that lets us know a better day is coming, giving us motivation to persevere (Heb. 12:1-2). For our vision and goals to accomplish the same, they must viewed as worthy of the pursuit. How we cast, or communicate, the vision will make a big difference in how it is perceived.
5) Do your vision and goals enhance life?
Jesus “has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10). There’s a “faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven” (Col. 1:5) that affects how we live here and now. Our vision and goals should help people more fully live in the life Jesus died to give us. They should free, not entangle. They should lead us forward, not hold us back. We need people to perceive that life-giving quality, that life will be better as a result, if we expect them to buy into the vision.
All Posts about Vision Casting & Goal-Setting:
- Have a Vision that Expresses Your Purpose?
- Have a Vision That Clarifies Your Purpose?
- Have a Vision Challenging Enough to Reach Your Purpose?
- Who Sets the Vision?
- Behind the Great Commission
- Good Example of Mission & Vision
- No Specific Examples of Goals in the Great Commission?
- Christ-like Intent in Vision & Goal-Setting
- Christ-like Pursuit of Vision & Goals
- Christ as the Focus, Not the Vision & Goals
- Power to Grasp and Implement a New Vision for the Church
- Vision and Goals Born Out of Prayer
- Vision and Goals Grounded in the Gospel
- Vision and Goals Enveloped by Grace