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Vision Casting and Theological Perspectives

By Richard L. Dresselhaus

Any pastor worth his or her salt will not head into the new millennium without casting vision that will grip the hearts of the people. It must be a vision that will excite, motivate, focus, and yet be reflective of sound theological principles. That is the intent of this article.

We stand at the edge of a time that has been greeted by only a handful of generations. New millenniums do not come often. In fact, if we use conservative dating, this is only the seventh since creation. In all my years, I have never sensed such openness, expectation, and sense of adventure that is now upon us. What a context in which to cast vision. Appropriately, pastors like myself are now taking a fresh look at contemporary models of ministry, new styles of leadership, and intriguing strategies for communications. We reach for books, enroll in seminars, analyze sociological factors, study psychological techniques, and hope the vision we cast will reflect a comprehensive awareness of the world we will meet in 2000—should Christ delay His coming.

Are these the significant factors that should shape vision? Is this where I ought to concentrate my visionary expectations? It is here I am sobered. In my spirit there is a sense of disquiet, uneasiness, and growing apprehension. Are cultural criteria and influence dominating me? Is there a flaw in my methodology?

I recall an apostolic confession that explodes in my heart: "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14). Suddenly a brilliant light of revelation casts its illuminating rays across my visionary aspirations.

To intensify my awareness, a hymn written by Isaac Watts comes to mind:

When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Vision casting demands theological perspective. This is work that cannot be done in a vacuum. Millennial visionaries must take a hard look back before daring to chart the course for the years that lie ahead. A vision cast outside of solid theological context will certainly promote a shallowness and emptiness that will leave the church of tomorrow in a state of sad and tragic despair.

What are these theological perspectives that guide the visionary?

The Centrality of the Cross

The centerpiece of the gospel we preach is focused on the Cross. Vision casters must establish this perspective as the one great essential. "Let me show you its Mount," or "God forbid that I should glory save in the miracles of Jesus." No! Jesus came "to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). That is the core; that is the centerpiece. That is where vision must focus. Any other starting point is a visionary misfire of eternal consequence.

What is meant by such attention to minutia? The treacherous folly before us in this sophisticated, high-tech, data-driven, quick-fix society is that people will miss this essential starting point. If so, they never will really face the horror of their sin, confront their utter lostness, or deal with their offensive pride and total depravity of spirit.

There is no substitute for Calvary. His lifestyle doesn’t save. His ethics don’t save. His miracles don’t save. You must stand at the Cross. To miss it here is to plunge even the most sincere and devout into the vortex of despair. It is a truism. No one can ever really be like Jesus, follow exactly the principles set forth in the Sermon on the Mount, or satisfactorily work past the miraculous to a deeper truth. All of us must begin at the Cross. Every millennial visionary must establish once and for all that the Cross is the only place where the journey can begin.

Again, why is this so essential? The answer is clear; lifestyle, ethics, and miracles have only the power to reform. Only the Cross has the power to transform. And it is transformation, not reformation that opens heaven’s gates. "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7). Jesus came to die. That is the center. The vision we cast must start with this first principle and never move away from it.

I have heard some have removed the visible cross from the house of worship. I trust such an action only means the loss of a symbol. If it is more, the end is tragic. Vision must embrace evangelistic fervor. The unsaved must be drawn in. We must become all things to achieve that end. But if we don’t bring people to the Cross, they will remain hopelessly lost. Observable change is no proof that the saving grace of Jesus has taken root in their hearts. Christ lifted up is the only cure.

How-to sermons do promote reformation. Horizontally focused preaching will help people to a more positive relational life. Health and wealth preaching might help some to live abundantly. Radical faith preaching can stimulate trust. But if you bring people in on the second floor, without a life transforming trip to Calvary, they will be shallow-rooted, guilt-ridden, uncommitted, and ultimately unsaved.

Visionaries for the new millennium must keep the Cross at the core.

The Preacher’s Boast

I return to the apostle Paul’s words, "God forbid that I should glory…." This is strong language. There is resolve and passion here. The apostle considers it unthinkable to allow anything to compete with the Cross. Vision casters for the new millennium must stand with Paul at just this point. The destiny of the Church is at stake. Anything less will threaten the very life of the Church.

Some years ago my wife Elnora and I set out from Seattle for a visit to Mount Rainier. We circled around this great mountain on our ascent to its peak. Interestingly, at some points it seemed as if what was before us was the whole mountain, only to learn later that it was but one of the many foothills. Obviously, no matter what might have been in view at any moment, the scene before us was still a part of Mount Rainier. So it is with the story of Scripture. It is all a part of Mount Calvary.

Consider the garments God provided for our first parents, the curses

pronounced by God following the Fall, the elaborate system of sacrifices that stood at the heart of tabernacle and temple worship, and even the giving of the Law. It is all a part of Mount Calvary.

Then move to the New Testament. The life and witness of Jesus, the preaching of the apostles, the kerygma by the Early Church, and the apocalyptic disclosure are all part of Mount Calvary.

Rising from within our preaching, vision, motivation, passion, direction, style, and methodology must be the Cross. There is nothing else. It is the only event that matters. It is all, absolutely all, that is worthy of boast.

The millennial vision must lift up the dying Christ, define mission in terms of the Cross, and promote motivation and methodology that finds its life in the Crucified One.

I sometimes feel the emotions of discouragement, fear, uncertainty, offense, and disappointment. However, because I am positioned solidly at the Cross—and that is the one and only subject of my boast—I find an emotional anchor at Calvary.

The vision we cast grows out of our continual and persistent survey of the Cross.

The Exhibit Before the World

We come back for a final time: "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." But we go on, "by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14).

Pity the poor church whose pastor has courageously and confidently cast a vision for the new millennium but has not yet died to the world—its values, imaginations, preoccupations, devotions, and desires. We have seen it far too often. Vision casting without theological perspective results in a vision cast out of arrogance, self-seeking carnality, and worldly wise creativity. Little wonder that the end is death.

The call of the Savior to every millennial visionary is that the starting point must always be the Cross. Strategies, programs, mission formulation, and every appeal for motivation dare not flow except out of that life-giving source.

Vision casting demands theological perspective—that begins, continues, and consummates at the Cross.

A great Puritan prayer of the 17th century gathers all the strands together:

Make my every sermon a means of grace to myself,
And help me to experience the power of Thy dying love,
For Thy blood is balm, Thy presence bliss, Thy smile heaven,
Thy cross the place where truth and mercy meet.