This is a ‘Shining Lights’ Vision update (not a regular blog thought)

It is with excitement that I come into the office this morning. The plan in starting toward this ministries vision was that the first 3 years would be as follows.

Year 1 – a year of resource development

Year 2 – a year of inspiration

Year 3 – a year of action

Today, year 2 (and thus phase 2) begins!

As I consider the week and year ahead my heart knows well that this is a venture of faith. I feel fear, because I am well out of my comfort zone at this point.

What we are attempting to do is large – especially areas 3 and 4 (which I’ll detail below).

While I know there are people praying for us, and Heather stands in faith with me, I am aware this morning that it is primarily me who carries these visions with the Lords help. ‘The Lords help’ is the key words. So long as our eyes are on Him there is not even room for fear!

Yet my heart is excited because everything we are aiming at is still possible. These things are fresh. Some are new, and some have never been attempted before (as far as we know thus far).

Could we pull back? If we felt the Lord somehow said to – sure, but otherwise, how could we? If Christianity is true, what is at stake here is too large. The Christian, and the Christian Church, has the responsibility to give every person alive the opportunity to hear and understand what Jesus did. It is a large task. We thus choose to see ourselves positioned as if there were the Red Sea behind us, thus having no option but to go forward!

Where are things up to?

1. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

1. –Nearly all the planned evangelism resources were written in the past year.

2. –Those that were not completed can be completed in spare time in the coming year

3. –Publication is in beginning stages, slowed currently by the time that perfecting text and graphics takes (though the delay is worth it).

2. RESOURCE PUBLICATION

1. –We have taken this on ourselves, because the possibility of benefitting our financial situation in a couple of years is there – however that does come at a cost in the meantime, even though a cautious and calculated one. It is a faith venture also!

2. –However, we have seen the Lords favour in this such that we’re still going in this direction.

3. MOBILISING

1. –The percentage of pastors who respond favourably when I present the idea I’m proposing is more than encouraging. This confirms to me that the goals we have are realistic. All the indicator are there that this will work!

2. –I see the ‘Next Step Project’ as one of the most exciting ventures in evangelism in our nation at this time – due to its potential (see the mobilising page at this website)

3. –However, making that a reality in the eyes of others is my work for the next year. Hence a year of inspiration (vision casting). I hope a God-purposed team of denominational leaders will be rallied by God – even though it may have no formal or recognisable human structure. It would be a team of individuals who do what they feel God wants them to in the places where they have authority – simply using a free idea with resources).

4. –Managing the pace at which it grows is my other challenge, because I can see it growing faster than I want it to. Wisdom and work is needed to grow it more – but then wisdom to ‘manage’ the momentum.

4. PROJECT

1. –The primary project is the one previously called ‘The Every Home Project’ – though now dubbed ‘the hope campaign’ (noting there are other ‘sub’ projects – but this is the main one).

2. –There is no question that this is a biggie, and will be a faith stretcher.

3. –My job from here is to wait to hear back from some possible partners, and then to proceed with the next steps, and the next round of meetings, needed so as to make this happen.

THE STEP OF FAITH

The biggest step of faith is finding courage to decide I will do project 4. In truth, the above illustration (…with the red sea behind us…) is how I feel, and I’ve already decided! I believe this project is both necessary and possible. Irrespective of what partnerships come, I believe I can see how to accomplish this, I know others believe it is worthy project also, and am ready to launch it under a fresh structure if needed.

However, we will welcome partnerships (some are pending), as a multi-organisational approach would both make it easier, and could benefit all of the involved organisations (as it is going to be a high profile national campaign).

Concluding exhortation

As we look at condition of our nation spiritually

1. –with as many as 6 out of 10 not even having a Church-going friend
   

2. –with Church members not mobilised to share faith
   

3. –and proclamation ministries weak, and often ‘missing the mark’ in terms of being culturally attuned when they do exist…
   

…the question is not, “Should we continue to pursue these visions?”, but, “Can we afford not to?”

Exciting times!!!

DAVE MANN. Dave is an Author and gifted communicator with a passion for the Gospel. This passion started when he came to faith at age 11. After Secondary School he went straight to Bible College, followed by 7 years in outreach ministry in New Zealand, then nearly 9 as a pastor in Singapore, before returning to New Zealand at the end of 2011. Dave is a visionary and fearless about pioneering initiatives aimed at helping the Church in New Zealand in the area of its mission. Author of various books and Tracts including “Because we care”, “That Leaders might last” and available free on this site: “The what and how of Youth and Young Adult ministry”.