As a layman, I have been involved for many years in evangelism and discipleship and now God seems to be taking away my passion for secular business consulting – I have had two ministry opportunities to serve but when I see the focus on ‘vision-casting’ I’m left with the general impression that casting vision seems to be more about creating plans and asking God to bless them – as compared with asking God to show where He is working and joining Him, then planning/serving in obedience to God revealing His will. It seems infinitely more productive to Join God so we see Him work and receive all glory. I’ve been looking in vain for BMI’s perspective on vision-casting – any help would be appreciated.
Good point! We agree! The best place I can send you for that is the book by me and my dad called, "Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God's Agenda." As you can tell by the title, it aims where you are feeling led! Check out chapter 4. It will evaluate 8 different ways people get their vision other than getting it from God, then lays out how to get your vision from Him. I think you will enjoy it!
You’re right, Mr. layman… I had never heard of “vision-casting” prior to your posting this question; so, I did some research on it and found this article which seems to address the meaning and the process… http://northamericanmissions.org/files/Casting-Vision-Article.pdf
What a huge disappointment that an influential Christian organization such as the North American Missions Board would be marketing this man-centered, pharisaical, false-doctrine to our American churches. Has American Christianity completely forgotten that JESUS CHRIST is the HEAD OF THE CHURCH and not the pastor? Have we forgotten that the HOLY SPIRIT indwells EVERY CHRISTIAN to lead us and guide us in His evangelistic purposes? Since when do we need our pastors telling God how to grow His church? This is appalling!
Btw… I agree with Richard about the book “Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda.” being a very good resource for church leaders to read together.
Praying that American churches RETURN TO GOD!
Dan, I read most of the article you linked above and fail to see how it is “man-centered, pharisaical, false doctrine.” By contrast, it pointed to the need for prayer, being led by the Spirit and study of the Word of God. There are also several warnings about common methods that are actually barriers to healthy church growth.
I’d love to know where you see the article to be off base. I did not get the picture that this article is promoting the idea of “pastors telling God how to grow His church.”
I would love to hear your reply.
Hi Mark, Thanks for asking for clarification.
I’m surprised, however, and a little concerned, that the “man-centeredness” of this article isn’t readily apparent.
From the onset, the article is talking about “A plan in the heart of man”. ALL MEN have plans in their heart… BUT, very few of those plans have any Godly intention at all, let alone, are initiated by the Holy Spirit… even from those who call themselves “pastor”… or in the case of the proverb, “king”. NEVER ASSUME a “vision” is from God simply because it is being promoted by a popular religious leader… THAT’s how Jesus ended up on the cross!
The bible stories referenced in the article have been twisted to take God’s works, promises, and commands away from Him and instead attribute them to being man’s “vision”. In EACH AND EVERY CASE, the “vision” given by God to these individuals was revealed to CHANGE THE HEART of THAT INDIVIDUAL to whom God gave the vision… NOT for the intent of drawing anyone else to follow that individual. God uses HIS OWN POWER and MIGHT to bring people to follow the leader He has chosen. The “leader” DID NOT have to go out and convince ANYONE to follow his “vision”. And the Holy Spirit works THE SAME TODAY. God puts within the heart of EVERY true believer the confirmation of the work HE is doing and draws them to follow the one HE has chosen.
The tactics detailed in the article for “casting vision” are NOT consistent with how God works in scripture… but are instead the tactics used by Satan to lure his prey… and are the same tactics used in modern-day advertisement, marketing, and business… again to lure and manipulate the targeted individuals.
Another huge concern is that the article references how Rick Warren practices vision casting… it says, “Rick Warren recommends restating the vision every twenty-six days.” . . . I’ve listened to and read much of Rick Warren’s teaching and preaching… AND I’M APPALLED!!! … What a shameful display of pharisaical, false-doctrine that comes from this man. Certainly he places far more emphasis on what is politically correct rather than preaching the Gospel of TRUTH.
There are FAR TOO MANY pastors in our nation, and our world, who are BUILDING THEIR OWN KINGDOM (Rick Warren one of them) rather than building God’s Kingdom. This article gives those Pharisees just the boost, motivation, and influence they need to continue there self-glorifying work.
Jesus said this of the Pharisees in His day… “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23:13,15)
Rather than “casting a vision”… Jesus calls for his followers to “lead” by being a servant. He says, “Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:10-12)
The first time I read the article, I read the list of visions (Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Jesus, Paul, etc) as having come from God Himself. Then the article looks at what these men did with those God-given visions.
It seems that you read the article from the perspective that all those visions are attributed to the men to whom they were given. Reading that way the second time certainly gives a different picture.
I would suggest a bit of grace toward the author. If the article is read from a different perspective, then it might be interpreted quite differently. The place where we certainly agree is that Vision must come from God and what HE intends to do. Man-made vision is worthless; but when GOD gives a vision we need to be obedient to what He tells us to do with it. And it must be consistent with His Word which is already revealed.
Dan
Having just read the article in question I find myself with some observations and questions concerning your perspective.
First allow me to say that I agree that it is of the utmost import that any vision be from God; that being said I fail to understand this section of your reply to Mark “The bible stories referenced in the article have been twisted to take God’s works, promises, and commands away from Him and instead attribute them to being man’s “vision”. In EACH AND EVERY CASE, the “vision” given by God to these individuals was revealed to CHANGE THE HEART of THAT INDIVIDUAL to whom God gave the vision… NOT for the intent of drawing anyone else to follow that individual.” I’m afraid that I do not understand how this twisting has occurred as referenced in the article. There does not appear (to me at least) to be any attempt by the author to take the vision away from God and make it that particular individual’s “vision” that he or she would cast before the people. In fact I am almost positive that a careful reading of Scripture will point out that the vision was for the individual to whom it was given and not the populace at large.
I do not, repeat DO NOT agree with the article concerning the casting of visions…….it is my considered opinion that God will give a vision to a leader and it is that leaders responsibility to follow through. This “noise” about casting visions is simply blame shifting….the vision didn’t work out the way “I” thought it should ergo it must be your fault for not having caught the vision “I” was casting.
A good quote from Henry Blackaby’s “Experiencing God Day By Day” daily devotion (“Servants of Christ” devotional for May 14th):
“The world will encourage you to strive for positions of authority and power. God wants you to take the role of a servant. As God’s servant you should have no other agenda than to be obedient to whatever He tells you. God does not need you to dream great dreams for your life, your family, your business, or your church. He simply asks for obedience. He has plans that would dwarf yours in comparison (Eph. 3:20).”
You know… this ties right back to a previous question posted… http://www.blackaby.net/members/2011/08/10/is-it-more-important-to-be-spirit-led-or-to-be-a-strong-leader-the-obvious-answer-well-of-coarse-its-more-important-to-be-spirit-led-so-then-why-are-so-many-spiritual-leaders-evidently/
Our church pastors are more and more following the “wisdom” of the business world with a focus on being a strong leader instead of following biblical wisdom and with a focus on being Spirit-led.