Inspired by a large vision

"If we only dream about what we might achieve with our own ability and resources then our vision will be very small"

An empowering culture is fuelled by an inspiring and large vision, which has world changing consequences. When Jesus came to Galilee at the start of his ministry, he came with an amazing message and vision. “The time has come, the kingdom of God is near”. This was all embracing and captivating. He gave some colour to this statement when he preached in one of the synagogues, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind to release the oppressed to proclaim the year of the favour of the Lord.”

The enormity of this statement and the confidence of success that Jesus imparted to those who heard him caused some people to make radical steps to be with him. “Look lord! Here and now I give half my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Was the amazing response from Zacchaeus a notorious tax collector?

Bill Easum says ‘leaders have strong imaginations”. He goes on to say, “Imagination is the ability to see clearly what doesn’t yet exist and to be able to articulate it so that others see it’. They dream and daydream, and in their minds and hearts go places most of us have never thought of, and they take us with them”

We need God’s grace to dream big dreams, to lift our eyes beyond what we now see and to start dreaming about what God will do in our town or city. If we only dream about what we might achieve with our own ability and resources then our vision will be very small. We must keep asking God to give us a vision, which captures His heart and His purposes for His church and the community we live in.

For us in Christ Church Manchester we have a great dream: To bring the Kingdom of God into some of the most deprived & sparsely churched areas east of the city, in doing this to impact the whole of the city.

We are aiming to bring rich and poor, the university student and marginally educated together.  To build a multi cultural community where diversity is appreciated and enjoyed. For the generationally unemployed we are looking to bring hope and the satisfaction of receiving the fruits of their labour, helping them to participate in the joy of giving to those who are even poorer. For the rich we want to see them give and serve with a generous and humble hearts and for many to give up their small ambitions as they catch hold of a bigger vision of extending the kingdom of God.

Inspired by a large vision

An empowering culture is fuelled by an inspiring and large vision, which has world changing consequences. When Jesus came to Galilee at the start of his ministry, he came with an amazing message and vision. “The time has come, the kingdom of God is near”. This was all embracing and captivating. He gave some colour to this statement when he preached in one of the synagogues, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind to release the oppressed to proclaim the year of the favour of the Lord.”