Pr Glenn Townend (SPD President) stated: "I attended another church for leadership training". Is that where he learned the technique called vision casting? Should focus on the established biblical vision for the church rather than seeking new, personalized visions?
Hi Shireen, "vision casting" is a vague term that's been around for a while.
It's easy to do a Google search and find articles with titles like "Five Steps to Effective Vision Casting".
The fact that this is so suggests one basic issue here -- if spiritual leadership consists of a set of human techniques, then it's not worth very much, and it's possible to find literally hundreds or thousands of articles that offer generic techniques on how to lead an organization.
So it seems like we need to use inspired sources of information. Proverbs 29:18 ("Where there is no vision, the people perish") is used with vision casting. However, we need to be careful, and it's worth noting that a modern conservative Bible translation (ESV) says "Where there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint", and the SDA Bible Commentary says that the Hebrew word for "vision" here is "chazon", and it always refers to "prophetic vision".
I am a long-time Spirit of Prophecy student, and if we rely on prophetic vision, two things that stand out in my study are (1) an emphasis on heart religion, and (2) an emphasis on proclaiming the righteousness of Christ at the very end of time.
Below I've included a couple of Spirit of Prophecy quotes on these topics.
(1)
To have the religion of Christ means that you have absolutely surrendered your all to God, and consented to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit moral power will be given you, and not only will you have your former intrusted talents for the service of God, but their efficiency will be greatly multiplied. The surrender of all our powers to God greatly simplifies the problem of life. It weakens and cuts short a thousand struggles with the passions of the natural heart. Religion is as a golden cord that binds the souls of both youth and aged to Christ. Through it the willing and obedient are brought safely through dark and intricate paths to the city of God. {MYP 30.2}
(2)
The end is near! We have not a moment to lose! Light is to shine forth from God's people in clear, distinct rays, bringing Jesus before the churches and before the world. Our work is not to be restricted to those who already know the truth; our field is the world. The instrumentalities to be used are those souls who gladly receive the light of truth which God communicates to them. These are God's agencies for communicating the knowledge of truth to the world. If through the grace of Christ his people will become new bottles, he will fill them with the new wine. God will give additional light, and old truths will be recovered, and replaced in the frame-work of truth; and wherever the laborers go, they will triumph. As Christ's ambassadors, they are to search the Scriptures, to seek for the truths that have been hidden beneath the rubbish of error. And every ray of light received is to be communicated to others. One interest will prevail, one subject will swallow up every other, -- Christ our righteousness. {1888 765.6}
Thank you very much, refulgent. I really appreciate your reply and encouragement. The church does not need a new vision to replace what God has already revealed. However, it may be helpful to have a vision for a certain local context.
If we look through the Bible, what we find is that there is a very old problem where humans would not stay true to God, but would instead start to bring in their own ideas, so that spiritual truth was turned into a mixture of truth and error.
Two examples of this are found in Isaiah 29:13-14 and Matthew 15:9, and Paul talks about how humans would "worship the creature more than the Creator" (Romans 1:25).
The Spirit of Prophecy has a lot to say on this subject, and one of the harshest statements describes how modern spiritualism operates in a Christian guise (first quote below).
In other words, spiritualism is not just about seances and Ouija boards, but has adopted an appearance of Christianity, while at the same time mixing false ideas with the true, and thereby nullifying spiritual truth.
It seems like we need to keep all of this in mind when we're evaluating modern spiritual trends in the church.
A couple of quotes on this topic are below.
(1)
Spiritualism is now changing its form, veiling some of its more objectionable and immoral features, and assuming a Christian guise. Formerly it denounced Christ and the Bible; now it professes to accept both. The Bible is interpreted in a manner that is attractive to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital truths are made of no effect. A God of love is presented; but his justice, his denunciations of sin, the requirements of his holy law, are all kept out of sight. Pleasing, bewitching fables captivate the senses of those who do not make God's word the foundation of their faith. Christ is as verily rejected as before; but Satan has so blinded the eyes of the people that the deception is not discerned. {4SP 405.2}
(2)
It was by deception that Satan seduced angels; thus he has in all ages carried forward his work among men, and he will continue this policy to the last. Should he openly profess to be warring against God and His law, men would beware; but he disguises himself, and mixes truth with error. The most dangerous falsehoods are those that are mingled with truth. It is thus that errors are received that captivate and ruin the soul. By this means Satan carries the world with him. But a day is coming when his triumph will be forever ended. {PP 338.3}
Shireen raised the issue of having a vision for a particular local context.
One way that Inspiration comes at this issue can be found in passages like Acts 1:14 and Ephesians 6:18, and the Spirit of Prophecy quotes below.
These passages portray groups of believers ("small companies") coming together to pray, and study present truth, and minister to each other.
If the Spirit has a particular message to convey to a group of believers, I would expect it to come in this type of setting. The last sentence of the last quote below talks explicitly about inquiring what the will of the Lord is, so that our hearts are open to receive a divine blessing.
A couple of examples of present truth topics are the Laodicean Message and the righteousness of Christ, and both of these are covered in Revelation 3:14-22. I personally have found these topics to be a rich field of study, and a couple of the quotes below touch on these areas.
(1)
A congregation may be the poorest in the land. It may be without the attraction of any outward show; but if the members possess the principles of the character of Christ, they will have His joy in their souls. Angels will unite with them in their worship. The praise and thanksgiving from grateful hearts will ascend to God as a sweet oblation. {COL 298.3}
(2)
There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is "present truth" that the flock needs now. I have seen the danger of the messengers running off from the important points of present truth, to dwell upon subjects that are not calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. Satan will here take every possible advantage to injure the cause. {EW 63.1}
But such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the 2300 days, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to explain the past Advent movement and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future. These, I have frequently seen, were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell. {EW 63.2}
(3)
The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot err. If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers. If in one place there are only two or three who know the truth, let them form themselves into a band of workers. Let them keep their bond of union unbroken, pressing together in love and unity, encouraging one another to advance, each gaining courage and strength from the assistance of the others. Let them reveal Christlike forbearance and patience, speaking no hasty words, using the talent of speech to build one another up in the most holy faith. Let them labor in Christlike love for those outside the fold, forgetting self in their endeavor to help others. As they work and pray in Christ's name, their numbers will increase; for the Saviour says: "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven." Matthew 18:19. {7T 21.4}
(4)
The Laodicean message applies to the people of God who profess to believe present truth. The greater part are lukewarm professors, having a name but no zeal. God signified that He wanted men at the great heart of the work to correct the state of things existing there and to stand like faithful sentinels at their post of duty. He has given them light at every point, to instruct, encourage, and confirm them, as the case required. But notwithstanding all this, those who should be faithful and true, fervent in Christian zeal, of gracious temper, knowing and loving Jesus earnestly, are found aiding the enemy to weaken and discourage those whom God is using to build up the work. The term "lukewarm" is applicable to this class. They profess to love the truth, yet are deficient in Christian fervor and devotion. They dare not give up wholly and run the risk of the unbeliever, yet they are unwilling to die to self and follow out closely the principles of their faith. {4T 87.1}
(5)
The gold that Jesus would have us buy of him is gold tried in the fire; it is the gold of faith and love, that has no defiling substance mingled with it. The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ, the wedding garment which Christ alone can give. The eye-salve is the true spiritual discernment that is so wanting among us, for spiritual things must be spiritually discerned. {RH, April 1, 1890 par. 10}
To our brethren who are standing in this self-confident, self-satisfied position, who talk and act as if there was no need of more light, we want to say that the Laodicean message is applicable to you. Many professed Christians are without Christ because they refuse to weave his principles of truth into their life. The word of God declares, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled." We should pray earnestly and inquire with sincere hearts as to what the will of the Lord is, that we may be ready to receive the blessing we so much need. {RH, April 1, 1890 par. 11}
