A Vision Beyond Stained Glass

I vividly remember a conversation I had back in 2002 when our church was less than a year old.  I was talking with a visitor who was asking a lot of questions about our church. Most of their questions were related to various "programs" or "ministries" that we did not have but they wanted, and I think they even mentioned a desire for stained glass windows.  Obviously, this person came from a churched background as do I.  I remember replying something to the effect of "If those are the things that are essential to you, then we are not your church. But if you want to be part of a big, God-given vision ... then we are trying to be that church."

I have nothing against wanting certain ministries or programs in a church, and I have nothing against stained glass windows.  I was discipled by a church with those things and I thank God for that church. However, let's face it:  Jesus gave us a vision that is far beyond what most of us expect or experience in a local church.

This is why we have to constantly raise our eyes beyond what we see and what we know to what God reveals and what His Word says is possible.  We must raise our expectations beyond our own experiences and preferences and pray to God who says He'll do more than we "ask or imagine" to bring glory to Himself through His church (Ephesians 3:20-21).

The funny thing is that almost a decade later we still do not have many of the programs and ministries that person mentioned and we certainly do not have stained glass ... but we are still trying to be driven by a God-given vision that goes beyond what we currently know and what we personally prefer.

I'm sure many of you are like me in that life and kids' schedules and bills and TV often become the extent of my "vision" ... but God loves us too much to let us settle for less than His best.   This is why at least annually we take an entire weekend and devote it to God's vision for Rock Bridge. This year our Vision Weekend will be on March 10th (Rock Bridge PM) and 13th.  And we need your help:

• Pray for me.  Pray that I may hear and see in faith God's vision and share it clearly.  I need the springs of living water (John 7:38) to refresh me and flow within me.


• Pray for our church.  We need a fresh manifestation of God's presence.  We need to be Spirit-led to glorify Christ, to hunger for His Word, to be doers of the Word, and to worship Him with passion.


• Pray for the the churches in our community and world. We need healthy churches. We need new churches.


• Pray for people who do not have a church family. They are missing so much love, so much truth, and so much of God in their life!!  Pray for churches to fill up with people that can be loved to the Cross!


• Pray for people who do not know Jesus. Pray that the veil over their hearts is torn so they can see their need for Christ and see Him as their Savior, treasure, and Lord.  Pray for people to be saved.


• Do YOUR part! Everyone can pray, most everyone can serve, and most everyone can invite someone to church.  Please ask God for the opportunity to bring an unchurched friend or relative with you to church over Vision Weekend. Please ask God to draw people into a relationship with Himself.  Please ask God to use you!


• Expect God to move.  Not because we deserve a move of God or because we are doing anything to cause it, but because God promises to work through His church and His people!

Fighting to see with you & praying to see God move through you,

Matt