Pastoral Vision (9)

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the LORD’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And peoples shall flow to it. Micah 4.1

In a course on pastoral ministry once my students were complaining about the pastors they had known and observed in churches—they didn’t seem very energetic or fruitful. “Is this the best we can do?” asked one student. Then another asked, “Do you think pastors are working up to the level of their ability?” I answered, “Most pastors are very gifted and eager to serve. They do not lack ability or desire. But they are working, many of them, up to the level, not of their ability, but of their vision.”  

How far does your vision for ministry extend? To the people of your congregation? The people in their Personal Mission Fields? Your community? The times in which we live? How far does your vision extend, and what does it include?

Charles Bridges (1794-1869) challenges us to let the Scriptures shape our vision for ministry, especially passages such as Micah 4.1-8: “What an extensive medium of pouring forth the light and life of the Gospel upon a benighted world! What a vast and valuable body of moral influence would it spread throughout its widely expanded sphere! How would its wise and kindly control of ‘the madness of the people’ impose a check even upon the political convulsions of the earth! And what an unlimited flow of national, social, and individual blessing would be communicated to our own, and to every land through this divinely-appointed channel!” (The Christian Ministry)

Paul charged us to work our “sphere” as fully as possible for the Gospel of the Kingdom (2 Cor. 10.13-18). But first we must identify that sphere, of what it consists, whom it includes, how far it extends, and what needs and opportunities it presents. Then we can begin to develop a vision for the coming of the Kingdom in that sphere, and for grace spreading to more and more people through our ministry and our church.

We need more pastors and shepherds with vision like Charles Bridges and Micah, people who see the potential of the Kingdom and the promise of the Church as the hope, not only of lost souls, but of all culture and society.

Resources for Shepherds
Speaking of culture, our new ReVision series on “A Christian Approach to Culture” has just begun. You can read the first two installments by clicking here, then subscribe to ReVision to receive additional installments every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Have you identified your own sphere of ministry? Your Personal Mission Field? Jesus commands us to make disciples “as you are going”, that is, in all the everyday situations, places, and relationships to which He sends us. But what does that entail? And what would happen if all our church members were working their Personal Mission Field for Christ and His Kingdom? Watch this brief video, then download the free worksheet and use this tool to help sharpen your vision and equip the sheep entrusted to your care for seeking and advancing the Kingdom of God.

Our new Online Training Page is replete with learning resources of various kinds to help you and your congregation realize more of the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God. Click here to discover the videos, podcasts, conversations, short courses, and other resources—all free of charge—that can enhance your walk with and work for the Lord.

Men, join us for our April Kingdom Conversation on the topic, “Such a Great Salvation.” Unless our vision of salvation is as large as the Lord’s, we’ll miss out on much of what He intends for our blessing. Our book, Such a Great Salvation, will be the basis of the discussion, but reading it is not required. We will meet Thursday night, April 25, at 8:30 via Zoom. I’ll send out some questions to guide our discussion so you can prepare. Just let me know if you’d like to join us, and I’ll make sure to send you the link. And if you would like to order a copy of Such a Great Salvation, you can click here for the book or here for the free PDF.

Men, we would love to have you join us every Tuesday morning at 10:00 Eastern as we seek the Lord for revival. Men from around the country and elsewhere join for 30 minutes to follow a psalm in calling on God for revival, renewal, and awakening in our time. If you’d like to receive the Zoom link to join us, just let me know by writing me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

From the Celtic Revival
We hear a lot about Patrick and his role in evangelizing the Irish in the 5^th century. We don’t hear as much—if anything at all—about those who labored in that field before Patrick arrived:

St. Declan, who possessed the discretion of the serpent and the modesty of the dove, reached Ireland and began to sow the seed of life there…There were four most saintly bishops who were in Ireland with their disciples before Patrick, preaching there and converting many to Christ. They were Ailbe, Declan, Ibar, and Ciarán. And these drew many to Christ with the net of the Gospels, but nevertheless it was Saint Patrick who converted most (and the most important) of the people of Ireland to the faith; and in time he held the supreme archbishop’s see of Ireland…[These four] were not of one mind with Patrick, but differed—although in the end they all made their peace with him.

 - Anonymous, The Life of St. Declan of Ardmore[1]

You can follow the remaining installments in Patrick’s story by subscribing to Crosfigell. Update your subscriptions or start a new one by clicking here. Soon we will begin a Crosfigell series on the high crosses of Ireland. Hope you’ll join us.

Want to learn about more of the great leaders of the Celtic Revival? You can download the PDF of our book, Lives of Irish Saints, by clicking here. For an overview of the Celtic Revival, download the PDF book, The Celtic Revival: A Brief Introduction (click here).

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[1] In Liam De Paor, Saint Patrick’s World (Notre Dame, London: University of Notre Dame Press, 1993), pp. 251, 252, 257.