Day 1 – Exponential Conference – Orlando, FL Pre-conference session: What’s Next? Shawn Lovejoy & David Putmam This first session focused a lot on vision – Shawn & David shared some great stuff! One point that I have heard multiple times over the last three years is:
Protect the Church’s Vision
Everyone who walks into a church has some type of idea what it should be like – even unchurched people have expectations from a church! A problem arises when someone has an idea for a new program, event, or ministry & it is inconsistent with the vision of the church. It may be a good idea & may even be effective at other churches; however, if it does not support & promote the vision it is the beginning of disunity & dilution. This is the beginning of the church’s death! –> My Responsibility as the Lead Pastor (as well as every leader at Warehouse 727) is:
Do Whatever is Necessary to Protect the Vision!
· Disaster happens when the church becomes distracted from the vision and focuses its energy & resources on something else. Disaster also happens when the leadership allows someone else to hijack the vision. It would become double minded – trying to do two different things at the same time – resulting in disunity – two different groups trying to pull the church in different directions. Unfortunately, this happens too many times in churches. Sure, the church may still be existing (doors are open & paying the bills); however, do not confuse existence with effectiveness.
By the way – we do not have to create the mission because Jesus already gave it to us in Matthew 28:18-20 when He said “…make disciples…”
The mission / vision of Warehouse 727 is: Connecting People to a New Life in Christ
This is the purpose of every effort, every gathering, every resource, every member, every volunteer, and every group of Warehouse 727!
