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The VISION: An Elder's Perspective

In this article, Elder Jeff Balsom shares his perspective on the importance of the VISION to the Chicago Church.

The Chicago Vision: An Elder's Perspective

VIDEO

The Original Chicago Vision
Steve Staten (10:47)

Darren Gauthier discusses the process that was followed in developing the VISION (3:08)

Introduction to the VISION presentation
Tony Singh (6:49)

The VISION (Part 1)
AT Arneson Presents The VISION (13:03)

The VISION (Part 2)
AT Arneson Presents The VISION (14:11)

The VISION (Part 3)
AT Arneson Presents The VISION (14:05)

HANDOUT

This flyer contains the Vision Statement and highlights of the Ministry Center Model. (PDF ~ 1.3 MB)

MINISTRY CENTER MODEL

(Click to Enlarge)

It is very exciting to open our eyes and envision what God is going to do in the Chicago Church. Sunday evening, May 6^th, marked a day of new beginnings for the church, something you could call a day of spiritual clarity for all of us. God has continually stated that He wants the blind to see (Luke 4:18-19) and to see people who are lost become saved. (Matthew 9:35-38) And Jesus counseled the church in Laodicea to buy from Him "salve to put on your eyes so that you can see." (Revelation 3:17) From these passages and many others, it is clear that God wants us to have vision, to be able to see where we are going and how we are going to be used by Him. Obviously, we will never be able to see everything clearly because God can "do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20) But that's what's so exciting about being a Christian. We never know exactly what's going to happen or what God has planned for us to do.

As you read through Acts 2, it's hard to imagine what it must have been like at Pentecost, when there were people from all over the world in Jerusalem and they each heard the gospel message, which Peter presented, in their own language. In quoting from the prophet Joel in the Old Testament, Peter said, "Your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." (Acts 2:16-18) I believe we are living this out right now in the Chicago Church. Even for myself, an older man, the Spirit has been poured out on me and I, too, can live a visionary life!

I thought it might be helpful for many of us if I wrote down what I was thinking that evening as I opened my eyes to the working of God in the church. Here are several points from the perspective of an elder and some of my thoughts regarding the vision presented on May 6th.

"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:16) There's nothing that encourages me like seeing different people used by God in many different ways. The slide that was projected with all those areas of service which each of us can give to God was very exciting for me to see. It will be so inspiring for each of us to be focused in our "gift area" and using talents that God has given us to serve.
My eyes have been opened to the needs for our youth and family ministries. There is certainly a need in the church and in our society for families to be united as a light to the world around us. Imagine our neighbors noticing our families and asking us about our church and the impact of it. This is a hostile world we are living in, and there's a need to shine like stars as we hold out the word of life.
Imagine an entire church of committed disciples who are living like the brothers and sisters in the book of Acts-surrendered to Jesus and embracing the cross. There's nothing quite like reading through the Book of Acts. We see people being baptized on a continual basis and problems being solved because of hearts embracing the call of Jesus and surrendering to Him.
The heart of missions was very clear in the presentation. There's no doubt that God will bless us with a tremendous amount of money that can be given to further the gospel in overseas' missions in Ukraine and Moldova. I envision many disciples making trips there during the summer months to experience a missionary adventure and to teach and preach in a foreign land. Each of us has so much that we can contribute in countries that have no deep Christian roots.
It is very inspiring seeing missionary efforts come to life right here in our own Chicagoland area. I'm certain that some of us will be moving to better meet needs in other ministry centers or to plant new ones altogether. With this new local mission mindset, there will be more and more opportunities to see the lost be saved because of their proximity to ministry centers and the giving hearts of true disciples. God is going to stretch us.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)

Let's all pray for God to open our eyes to see things that we have never seen before. And let's pray for God to use each of us in ways that we have never been used before in serving Him. And to Him be glory in the church. Amen!

Jeff Balsom, Elder

Chicago Church of Christ Vision Statement

We envision generations of authentic disciples—intent on loving God and embracing the cross, surrendered to Jesus, committed to His mission, determined to discover their God-given gifts to serve His kingdom and advance the Gospel—who accept his call to go anywhere, do anything, give up everything, and become whatever God bids us to be.

We envision dynamic cross-cultural Ministry Centers, regional ministries within 30 minutes of every soul in Chicagoland, staffed with an evangelist to preach the Word, an elder to shepherd our members, a teacher to fortify our convictions, a Youth and Family minister to inspire Christ-likeness in our homes, deacons to minister, and a worship leader to guide us to new heights in our congregational and individual worship.

We envision House Churches in every neighborhood, town, or village, along with Task Groups for specialized ministry needs, with each disciple steadfastly committed to the 'One Another Way' and connected through healthy discipling relationships.

We envision training future elders, evangelists, teachers, campus ministers, youth and family ministers, deacons and worship leaders, providing expert initial and ongoing teaching and preparing teams to begin new congregations throughout the state of Illinois and beyond. We envision serving the Ukrainian and Moldovan Churches by helping them to reproduce for their harvest field these same parameters for health and growth.