Ripe for Harvest

S ESSION 1: S EEING THE B IG P ICTURE • 99

Seeing the Big Picture: Defining Values/Vision Team Exercise: Vision vs. Goals

Vision: A picture of what God puts on our hearts

Goals: What we do in response

1 Cor. 3.5-8 (ESV) - What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.

What Man Does

What God Does

Plants, waters

Makes things grow

Evangelizes, equips, empowers

Plants the church

Tends the plant with care until it can exist on its own

Decides the timing

Church Plant Goals: Prayer, seed, projects consistent with vision Danger: Too much emphasis on our effort, ability, and wisdom

Church Plant Vision: Picture of what God puts on our hearts

Danger: Over-spiritualize; minimize the role we play

Context Values/Vision Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter