Last week I had the privilege of meeting Bob Logan in a smoky breakfast diner in Marion, Indiana. Bob has been involved in church leadership and coaching for decades, and recently launched out on a new venture of planting a network of house churches in LA.
I love to connect with other leaders who are venturing out into the “post-Christendom wilderness” with bold visions for raising up disciples, leaders, and communities that can incarnate the presence and message of Jesus in their neighborhoods and relational networks.
Bob recently posted this little vision blurb on his leadership site, and it really resonated with me, so I thought I’d pass it along to you. Be inspired!
I have a vision for living out the kingdom of God today in a way that makes Jesus visible. Some days the picture in my mind is so clear. I can envision networks of Jesus-followers that are alive, vibrant and growing. Their people are living lives of love, talking with their neighbors about the Gospel, bringing meals to the sick, visiting those in prison, tutoring kids, challenging injustice, extending grace, demonstrating their love of God and others in many tangible ways. Others in the communities where these churches have a presence take notice of the Spirit at work—and they start asking questions. Barriers between the churches and the neighborhoods crumble. Dialogues begin and those who don’t know Jesus are invited to taste and see.
Leaders are raised up from new believers and begin multiplying themselves. Systems of leadership development are growing at the very grassroots of the movement. People are being helped toward growth in discipleship and maturity. Soon the groups of Jesus-followers begin branching out to form more groups of Jesus-followers. The whole region is revitalized and growing. The kingdom of God expanding here on earth.
This is missional transformation.
Amen! Sounds a lot like what we’re trying to do here in the Midwest. I love it.