ARC Church Planting Prayer GuideSýnishorn

Vision & Purpose

Devotional:

By Pradeepan Jeeva, Kalos Church, Bellevue, WA

If you asked 20 artists to paint a sunset, you'd receive 20 unique paintings. Each artist would infuse their own vision, using varying hues of yellow, red, clouds, mountains, and more. Just as in art, when you share your dream of planting a church with 20 people, you invite 20 different visions of what that church could be. However, more than one vision is called division, and a house divided cannot stand.

Vision, as defined by Chris Hodges, is “seeing the future before it comes into being.” In church planting, this means envisioning what your unique church will become. It's easy to be influenced by others or overwhelmed by competing voices, but the key is to pause, seek the Lord, and ask for a picture of the church you're called to lead.

Remember, church plants come in various sizes and styles, but the Lord intends to craft something unique through you. The church you see with your eyes closed, the one imprinted in your heart, is your vision. So, take a moment to reflect and seek God's guidance, for it's in this vision that your church planting journey truly begins.

Application:

Ask someone on your team to share their vision for your church plant.

Write down a clear vision statement for your church. What world do you want to see as a result of planting your church?

Meditation:

Meditate on what you want God to do in and through your church plant. Picture people coming to Christ, addictions being broken, and families being restored. Ask God to clarify the vision He has for your church plant.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, give me a fresh vision from you and the faith to see that vision become a reality. I pray that your will be done through this church plant. I do not want to work out of a good idea but out of the purposes of heaven. Thank you for making the vision of this church alive in me and our church planting team.