Why does a church need vision and mission?
First, because God is a God with vision. Through the Old Testament and the New Testament, God continues to set goals and directions for His people:
- God called Abraham: “You shall be a blessing to all nations.” (Genesis 12:1–3)
- God instructed Moses on how to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.
- Jesus clearly declared His mission: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
The church is God’s body on earth and should continue His will and direction.
Second, the vision prevents the church from getting lost.
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained (Proverbs 29:18)
Without a vision, the church is prone to:
- Busy but ineffective (lots of work but no direction)
- Internal strife and controversy (everyone have their own opinions, and there is no common focus).
- Forget the mission (become a religious activity center that only satisfies believers)
Vision brings unity, focus, and motivation.
Third, the vision helps the church respond to the community and the times.
God calls different churches to play different roles in different places and at different
times.
- Some churches focus on discipleship.
- Some focus on evangelizing specific ethnic groups.
- Some have special burdens in the workplace, at home, and in cross-cultural mission work.
Visions can help the church answer clearly: What has God entrusted to us in our city/era/culture?
Fourth, the vision inspires believers’ sense of participation.
A clear vision can:
- Encourage brothers and sisters to dedicate their gifts and resources to God’s
- Kingdom.
- Let those who serve know how their work connects with the Great Commission.
- Help believers live with a sense of purpose in their faith
When there are no visions, many believers were merely “participating.” Only when they had a vision did they truly “commit”.
Fifth, the vision is the foundation for long-term growth.
The growth of the church cannot rely on temporary enthusiasm, but requires a long-term direction from God, confirmed through prayer, so that:
- Ministries have priorities
- Resources are allocated strategically
- New coworkers have clear training objectives
- The leadership team is moving in the same direction
A vision is not a human construct, but a commission from God. A church with a vision is not merely “existing in this place,” but has been sent to this place for God’s glory and for the sake of the gospel.
The difference between a vision and a mission:
Vision vs. Mission: The Core Difference
Vision
Mission
What is it?
An image: What kind of community does the church aspire to be, and what will it achieve in the future?
A mandate: What the church is now called to do
Direction
Seeing the future
Focusing on the present
Time
Focus on long-term goals (3 years, 5 years, 10 years or even longer).
It is a continuous responsibility until the Lord returns.
Answer the questions
“Who do we want to become?” “What kind of church does God want us to be?”
“What are we doing?” “What does God want us to do now?”
Example
“We aspire to be a discipleship-based church that transforms cities.”
“We exist to spread the gospel, train disciples, and serve the community.”
Summary:
Vision = Future Image (Perspective)
Mission = Current Task (Action)
Church Application: How do vision and mission work together?
The vision was a large picture of the future:
- Inspiring and guiding
- Not frequently changing, pointing to the future
Our mission is our daily action now:
- Guiding church activities, planning, and resource allocation
- It is a specific, executable task.
What are God’s vision and mission?
If we are to establish a vision and mission for the church, we must first understand that we
do not set our own goals but rather respond to God’s vision and participate in God’s
mission.
I. God’s Vision: To bring all nations to Him and allow them to enjoy His glory and presence.
Overall image of the Bible:
From Genesis to Revelation, God unfolds a magnificent picture of visions for us:
“The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14)
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
“Many nations will come and say, come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord. He will teach us his ways.” (Isaiah 2:2-3)
God’s visions are not limited, but rather:
- Universal (to all races and peoples)
- Kingdom-based (not personal goals, but the glory of His reign).
- Worship-oriented (all nations worship Him and enjoy His presence)
II. God’s Mission (Missio Dei): To send His people to make all nations know His salvation.
Definition:
God’s mission is not a task set by the church for itself, but rather an invitation from God to participate in His work.
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21)
“So that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.” (Psalm 67:2)
God’s mission includes:
1. To save sinners (Luke 19:10)
2. To establish His kingdom (Matthew 6:10)
3. To make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20)
4. To restore the whole earth to God’s glory (Revelation 21–22)
Vision vs. Mission
God’s vision
God’s mission
concept
The ultimate picture God has set forth: all nations worship Him, glorify Him, and abide in His presence.
God’s action plan to realize this vision
Key Points
The ending that God wants to accomplish
The method used by God
Revelation
The worship scenes in Revelation and Revelation Isaiah’s prophecies about the nations’ conversion to the Lord.
Sending Christ, establishing the church, the work of the Holy Spirit, and missionary work
Therefore, our response is:
The church does not create its own vision and mission but rather participates in God’s vision and lives out God’s mission.
We live not to build our own “little kingdom,” but to:
- Glory God
- Expand His Kingdom
- Preach the gospel to the ends of the earth.
- Help people know Jesus, become disciples, and live a new life.
In short:
God’s vision: All nations turn to Him, glorify Him, and be with Him forever.
God’s mission: To send the church into the world, so that the gospel may be preached throughout the nations and to the ends of the earth.
The Vision and Mission of the Lake East Christian Church:
Vision Statement:
We aspire to be a church with a strong sense of mission.
Mission Statement:
We exist to save souls and lead people to Christ.
Details:
In the past, LECC would formulate a three-year ministry focus and direction. We’ve found that we need not only a three-year direction, but also a long-term vision. The preceding discussion should have helped everyone understand why we need a vision and a mission. Since 2023, LECC has received God’s guidance to become a missional church. Missional church is essentially our understanding of the church’s purpose in the world. Some churches believe their purpose is to provide religious services. Missional church, however, is about understanding God’s vision, experiencing God’s heart, and working with God. The 2022 document, “Missional Church.docx ,” describes in more details about our concept of a missional church. At that time, we considered this as our three-year ministry direction, and we now continue striving in this direction.
A “missional church” is a community of believers who see themselves as sent by God to actively participate in His mission both locally and globally. Based on our observations over the past few years, we’ve noticed a narrow understanding of “missional church” among brothers and sisters. Many believe it simply means going to India or other distant regions to share the gospel. This specific ministry doesn’t directly link to everyone’s daily life. In fact, a missional church simply means a church carrying out God’s mission. God’s vision is to fillthe whole earth with His glory, and His mission is to send His people to proclaim the gospel, establish churches, and make disciples of all nations. Therefore, we must participate in this vision and accept this mission. The church must become a church that carries out this mission. Every believer must become a believer who carries out this mission. Carrying out this mission includes sharing the gospel with family, friends, colleagues, classmates, and neighbors, as well as sharing it with unreached people in distant lands. To avoid misunderstandings about the concept of a missional church, we define the church’s long-term vision as “a church with a strong sense of mission.” The emphasis here is on “mission” because our vision is for every brother and sister in the church to understand that as Christians, our goal is not to earn a ticket to heaven, but rather we bear a mission until the day Jesus returns. We must fulfill this mission daily, making our lives glorify God. To fulfill this mission, we need to continually equip ourselves through necessary daily spiritual discipline, allowing ourselves to continuously experience the power and grace of the gospel, and then share it with others. Regardless of a believer’s spiritual stage, they can execute on this mission. New believers can share their own testimony about how Jesus transformed their lives, like the Samaritan woman (John 4:28-42). Believers who have undergone some training can share concise gospel messages. Those with a solid foundation can teach and lead. Spiritually mature believers can train new workers and even leaders. Every believer can proactively care for others and share Jesus’ love.
We believe that carrying out this mission will bring revival to our church. Currently, our church is in a lukewarm state. Much like the church in Laodicea faced spiritual complacency, we too must examine ourselves honestly in light of Jesus’ words. In Revelation, Jesus commented on the church in Laodicea, saying, “ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ” (Revelation 3:15-19). We should take this scripture as a warning.
If churches remain stagnant, they risk decline and even closure—a reality evidenced by the church situation in Europe. American congregations are facing similar challenges. According to a survey, 99% of the American Protestant pastors acknowledged that their churches struggled with effective evangelism. The survey further revealed that only 3-5% of churches experienced growth by leading new people to Christ. Alarmingly, approximately10,000 churches close each year in the United States, while only about 3,000 new churches are planted, resulting in a net loss of congregations. These trends highlight how comfort and complacency can turn a church into a social club, weakening its sense of mission and diminishing its impact on the community. Yet, we are not without hope. The church is like a boat sailing against the current—if it does not advance intentionally, it will drift backward. To avoid spiritual stagnation, church leaders and members must renew their commitment to God’s vision and mission. This means prioritizing intentional outreach, such as equipping members to share their faith stories, launching community service initiatives, and fostering genuine relationships with those outside the church. By embracing these practical steps, we can ignite spiritual passion, experience God’s transformative power, and become channels of blessing to the world. Let us be encouraged—when we move forward together in faith and action, God will honor our efforts, renew our congregations, and use us to extend His kingdom.
Many members find themselves content with their current spiritual state and may not sense an immediate need for further growth, sometimes thinking that believing in the Lord is sufficient. Some even struggle with foundational spiritual practices such as attending gatherings, reading the Bible regularly, or maintaining a consistent prayer life. LECC has established this vision and mission to help everyone recognize that remaining in such a state is not what God intends for us. Guided by God’s vision and mission, our hope at LECC is that everyone can come to know Jesus personally, develop daily spiritual practices (such as regularly reading scripture, praying, and reflecting), share faith stories with others, serve in ministry, participate in small group discussions, and have testimonies of spiritual growth—ultimately becoming disciples who actively carry out God’s mission. We understand that everyone is on a unique journey, and it’s normal to face challenges along the way. Our community is here to support and walk with you wherever you are. While we do not expect everyone to immediately reach these goals, we are committed to continuously encouraging, equipping, and accompanying each brother and sister as we all strive together in this direction. Our aim is not to tolerate spiritual complacency, but rather to cultivate an inviting environment where all can become true followers of our Lord Jesus.
LECC emphasizes spiritual growth, leading brothers and sisters not only to understand the truth but also to practice it. We become apprentice of Jesus, imitating His spiritual disciplines, experiencing spiritual renewal, and becoming more like Jesus. Below are two scripture passages that tell us to practice the truths the Lord has taught us.
Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, thestreams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Six years ago, LECC introduced the “Practice of Godliness” ministry theme, which emphasized fundamental spiritual disciplines such as Bible reading and prayer through numerous sermons, Sunday school classes, and church ministries. This earlier focus was instrumental in cultivating a foundation of personal spiritual growth among our members. Building on this groundwork, our newly defined vision and mission expand the call—not only to develop these disciplines privately but to empower every brother and sister to actively live out biblical truth in everyday life and in fulfilling God’s mission. The spiritual habits we nurtured in the past have prepared us to take this next step: moving from inward spiritual formation to outward expression of faith through action, service, and evangelism. In this way, the journey of spiritual discipline naturally leads to a life that embodies and proclaims the gospel, aligning our personal growth with the church’s greater calling.
With this in mind, the church is committed to equipping all brothers and sisters, supporting everyone’s spiritual growth so each person is prepared to participate in the mission entrusted to us by the Lord. This means that fulfilling the Lord’s mission is now understood as our ultimate goal, and all teaching and ministry serve to enable everyone to carry it out. Being a Christian, then, is not simply a matter of self-improvement or finding better ways to handle life’s challenges—though these are often natural results of spiritual growth. If our faith stops there, we miss the heart of God’s vision. Our faith must move beyond being self-centered to becoming God-centered, so that our lives reflect His purpose as we put truth into practice and join in His mission.
Encouragement:
Dear brothers and sisters, your faith in the Lord did not come by chance, nor did you happen to sit in church. You are a vessel carefully chosen and sent by God in this age. He saved you so that not only can you have the heavenly peace and blessing, but also He may send you into this world to participate in His glorious vision and mission.
God’s vision is to bring all nations to Him, to share in His glory and presence. His mission is to send you and me to share the gospel to the ends of the earth, and bring the true light into people’s hearts. You may feel weak or unequipped, but God never uses “perfect” people, but rather those who are willing to obey.
The most meaningful thing in the world is not fulfilling your own dreams, but responding to God’s calling and participating in His eternal plan. Every time you share the gospel, participate in ministry, pray faithfully, and love your neighbor as yourself, you bring the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven to earth, and your life is eternally connected with the Kingdom of God.
Don’t underestimate your role. No one is too small, and no service is too ordinary. If you are used by the Lord, your life can become tremendously meaningful and fruitful. What Satan fears most is not the Christians sitting in the church, but the Christians who are willing to participate in God’s mission and live out the power of the gospel.
The Lord Jesus has set an example for you, saying, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) He is calling on you today: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8)
Are you willing to respond: “Lord, here I am, send me”?
May you see the true direction of your life in God’s vision, and live out the most glorious meaning of life in His mission!