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The Vision for 2009 is my very Important Development in Ministry.

From my reading and studying the Scriptures I have become aware that Isaiah received, prayed and thought of God's word and became aware of the power, meaning, influence and effects of God's word in varied forms for individuals, family, community, organization and international change for the better.

Today, the way I see, hear, read and understand words for myself is different from the way I perceived things thirty years ago.

My in-depth reading of the Scriptures drives me to search for more meaning in life and purpose for living. However, I am always humbled to know that with my walk with God, there is still a lot more I need to learn. With this open mind while reading the Book of the Prophet Isaiah I had an electric shock on my 55th birthday. You know what! Many questions flashed into my mind and I can remember these very clearly. Is this a dream or a vision? I am not related to Isaiah, why is my heart vibrating? "So is my word..." reminds me of what happened when I read Mark 8:38, 25 years ago. I still do remember the tears. It happened again when I read Isaiah 55:11 on my 55th birthday however this times it wasn't in tears but an electric shock.

What is Isaiah 55:11 saying to me? It's a vision not a dream. What is a vision?

This is what I perceived. It is the paradigm processes of actions, which are taken to ensure that the actual outcomes of God's 'Word' and impacts of the vision that are intended are met.

I would like to illustrate this in the diagram of the seven pillars of God's vision for a better and peaceful world.



I am of the opinion that from the Church and the Biblical point of view, I am called to be reliable and dependable. I am also commissioned to entrust God's word to reliable men and women who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).

Pillar No. 1 Reliable word of God: In the vision, the word must come from the revealed word of God. Our vision for this year 2009 is from the Word of God from Isaiah 55:11, "So is my word that goes out of my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it".

The vision words from Isaiah, for me, reflect the paradigm of God's love for a sinner and the strongest part of any leadership both in the Church and in other disciplines. In this message of Isaiah 55:11 there is something in the vision that drives me to pray and hope for the best. For this year and the future for St Matthew's Church, I strongly feel that members of our Church must pray for future church growth in numbers and in spiritual depth, and to make more impact in the local community.

Pillar No. 2 is Teachable: In the vision, the word of God must challenge believers and non-believers to try and understand that they should act on God's word in the business of our calling to share, live and practice our faith in a measurable, tangible and a stable way.

This is another important part of the vision. Our Church members have a part to play. With the kind of lay ministry team here at St Matthews, the definition, explanation and communication of the vision gives St Matthew's the opportunity to share, discuss, reflect, ask questions and helps us to plan together how we can begin to teach and share the vision as a team. Members of the congregation have their parts to play - in the sense that Church members will be encouraged to read their Bible, become prayerfully involved according to God's word, remembering and believing that 'Spirit-led prayer' releases God's power to bless, challenge, transform any situation near and far.

Pillar No. 3 is Accountable: In the vision is the teaching, input, mentoring, and coaching.

This is where we have to give every individual members of the Church the opportunity to hear a series of sermons on various themes on the power of God's word, his love, sin, forgiveness, reconciliation, and prayer. The lay ministry team will lead in the teaching related themes to explain, exhort, rebuke, explore and to encourage for example - open prayers, silent prayers and prayers using the word of God from the Bible. The systematic teaching will be biblically based and as we seek to have the feedback, we will be preparing to adjust our teachings accordingly.

Pillar No. 4 is the Responsible Church: This in the vision is our weakest part in the delivery stages.

Is this God's will for 'me', 'us' and for our 'community' this year 2009? I personally find it challenging and demanding. With a bit of wisdom, coaching and prayer, I earnestly pray and hope to work hard and improve on this.

Pillar No 5 is the Mission-shaped Church: The 'Word' of the vision transforms lives of individuals and community from inside and outside the Church.

Pillar No 6 is the Mission-shaped church: principles and strategy to the world near and far.

How do we learn, practice and live God's word in our daily lives? In Acts 11:1-26 we read the accounts of what happened, how the first disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ responded to the issues of the day. This is a living testimony confirming that the church is the body of believers together. Coming from varied backgrounds, the disciples were faced with many things in their daily lives. Read Acts 11:1-30 and discover for yourself what is yours. If you find nothing that rings a bell in your life then, now and for the future then ring me or send me an email and I will tell you three things very quickly. It was in Antioch where the disciples were first called Christians. Hence, followers of Christ anywhere and everywhere makes up the Church of Christ in any place under the sun. Hallelujah.

Pillar No. 7 is the life vision and testimony of a Mission-shaped Church nurturing new believers and preparing each members for out reach into the community.

Modicum