Vision 100 Leadership Stretch Cont.

One of the factors that Vision 10o leaders need to constantly address and check is the subtle power of denominational competitiveness.

As a movement Vision 100, because of it's clear values, has been, by God’s grace, reasonably successful in resisting denominational competitiveness and replacing it with gospel generosity towards each other. We have achieved this by joining together through the Vision 100 organisation as follows:

(1)  Sharing resources – preaching, training, Ministry Challenge and other conferences, ideas

(2)  Raising and disseminating funds through Vision 100 Resources

(3)  One joint church plant – Cornerstone (now a Presbyterian work)

(4)  Supporting the University work (AFES & FOCUS) across all participating denominations

(5) Vision 100 leadership and prayer meetings

At present we have several churches from two denominations (Presbyterian and Christian Reformed) and two independent churches (Crowded House in Spreyton and the Evangelical Reformed Church in Launceston) in the network. These churches all share the values of the Vision 100 movement, which are critical to a genuine working together under Christ and in the gospel.

Several other churches have been encouraged to participate, but because they do not share the Vision 100 values, have other priorities, or lack of gospel leadership, have not participated in or joined the Network (St Johns, Anglican and Baptist churches, CRC Hobart and the CRC Launceston). Some of these churches suffer from an unhealthy commitment, either to the denomination, or to liberal theology.

Vision 100 is against independentism, and sees great value in it’s member churches being part of a denomination. Through a radical commitment to the gospel, we want member churches to have a reforming effect in the denominations. At the same time we recognise the dangers of being infected by ‘denominational malaise.’ How are we to guard against the subtle power of denominationalism infecting the movement?

(1)  The Vision 100 leaders continuing to set and example of gospel generosity across the network in practical ways (giving, preaching, training, practical help).

(2) To seek to make Vision 100 networking activities a priority, especially where they are more singularly focussed on the spread of the gospel through local churches. (ie. Tea and Talk has ‘died’ and we are encouraging elders and church leaders to attend the Vision 100 Leadership and Prayer meetings)

(3) Network leaders meeting and working together for the sake of the gospel to support each other, to encourage stepping out in faith and to keep each other accountable.

(4) Promote the denominations working together through joint church planting and other activities through 'Pauline' teams, made up of leaders from various denominations.

(5)  To, as much as possible, direct non-local church financial resources to Vision 100 for distribution even if it is ear marked for a particular work. We need to enlist the wealthy gospel-hearted folk in our churches to regular giving to Vision 100.