SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #116 ---- 4/3/00
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
(A letter of Encouragement to People in
Vocational and Lay Ministry)
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #116 ---- 4/3/00
TITLE: "Vision ---- It's Division" (Part 13 of A Series of 13)
Dear Able Co-Laborer in Kingdom Work:
Well, I must say ---- our quiver is full, and our hearts are overflowing.
Roma and Anja arrived safely to the United States last Thursday evening,
and the family has begun the blending and adapting process. These two
newest children from Russia are already engaged in bonding with Misha,
Seriozha, and Katya.
We are so proud to now be grand parents of ten fantastic kids, five of
them from Russia. Now, when our 11th one arrives by natural process in
June, we'll just about be beside ourselves.
Thanks for praying for our kids through this adoption process.
Incidentally, if you know of anyone interested in adopting from Russia,
Ukraine or Philippines, let me now and I'll send you the person to
contact with Reaching Arms International, a totally Christian adoption
agency committed to bringing children from those countries to America and
a strong exposure to the Gospel.
THE FINAL CHAPTER:
Finally!!!
Would you believe it!?!
The final installment of the series on Vision ---- at least for the
moment.
Saturday, while driving home from Minneapolis, the Lord gave me two more
things to consider ---- Vision's Destination, and Vision's Destiny ----
at another time and place, though. God opened my mind up to some pretty
powerful truths regarding these two subjects, so I am anxious to develop
them further and use them somehow, somewhere, in the future.
What a blessing it has been to devote so much attention to the subject,
and then be so bountifully rewarded first by all the words of
encouragement you have sent, and second by the thrilling new insights God
has given me throughout the duration of this fresh pilgrimage.
God, . . . . You're too much! Thank you!
AN AMAZING STORY THAT I MUST SHARE:
Take time to read an incredible story at the end of the letter. I wonder
why we never heard about this from any of the major news media?
THE REASON FOR THIS ISSUE:
Several weeks back, when writing on "Vision ---- It's Development", I
commented in both letters #108A and #108B that sometimes a vision born in
your heart is actually completed in the ministry of another person. That
triggered a question in one reader's mind about what he called a "shared
vision".
By that he meant a vision which he had, along with the leadership in his
church. In other words, its "ownership", so to speak, was possessed by
more than one person.
My first thought was, "that's great! That's the way it should be."
Anytime both a pastor and a church (or at least the leaders) have the
same vision, it's an ideal situation. That church, frankly, has a leg up
on most churches who simply think it's the pastor's job to come up with
the vision, and then do all the work of seeing it fulfilled. If it
works, they take the credit; if it doesn't, he gets the blame. (Been
there; done that!)
But then he went on to explain what had apparently happened. God had
given him and his church leadership a vision which was equally shared,
but now there seemed to be a difference developing over two things ----
what that vision really entailed, and how it would be implemented.
Then I began to realize they were approaching a point of potential
dissension and, if not dealt with patiently and prayerfully, a
possibility of ministry "melt down" where everything moves so fast and so
hot that both the vision, the ministry, and the leaders are damaged,
perhaps beyond repair.
I thought at that time that such a scenario would be a good topic to
consider. In doing so, I want to share excerpts from some of the letters
I received from this brother, and also some of the thoughts I shared with
him in reply. Following that, I want to conclude with some thoughts that
might bless you in the event you find yourself in a similar situation
where you have a "shared vision" that doesn't seem to be equally
understood by all parties.
For your information, both parties are friends, both to me and to each
other. They have been working diligently for many months to find an
amiable conclusion. And ---- they both know I am writing about this
today, and are fully agreeable that I do so.
Here are excerpts from some of our correspondence:
1. The Brother's Initial Letter:
"I'm at a crossroad in the 'vision' God gave me. I suppose this happens
when you minister with others, try to walk in mutual submission, yet
obvious differences in ministry approaches and methods come into play.
" . . . my vision continues to be a part of another man's vision, which
includes his approach and methods. I don't want to 'call the shots,'
just be allowed to follow what I believe to be God's approach and method
for the vision He's given me. I'm not talking about being unaccountable
to others because we're all to be this, just liberty to see the vision
God has given me fulfilled."
2. A Second Letter:
" . . . in recent weeks I've likened it to two buses (methodology) headed
to the same place (vision). They were driving side-by-side in unity. On
the road to the vision being reached, the buses came to a fork. Now,
God, the driver of both buses, may want to take one bus down each road.
The co-pilots love Him and are on the bus He's chosen for them. There is
still unity in wanting to get to the vision.
"I feel I've been standing in between the two buses, trying to hold them
together . . . I'm at the point now in trying to discern the will
and voice of God as He is perhaps saying, 'Let go of both buses, son.
The fork is coming up and it's time to get off at the next stop. Wait on
the next bus.'"
3. Following my response, the brother wrote a third note:
"In the midst of all the praying and agonizing I've done these past
months regarding the issues we're facing in the ministry here, the Lord
took me back yesterday to the original "vision" . . . Things
'clicked' today and it became clear that . . . I allowed that vision to
be . . . shaped to fit into the mold of our church's vision . . . .
[which is] . . . . good. The problem is that I've tried for the past
seven months to make the visions compatible; the old 'square peg in the
round hole' dilemma. Thus the conflicts."
BEEN THERE; DONE THAT:
As I read the various letters from this brother and another, I realized
I'd been there on several occasions. I was there in 1975 when it became
clear that the 700 member church I pastored was not heading the same
direction God was leading me. In 1982 the same thing happened in a
church of less than 100 members. And again in 1991, which ultimately led
to my return to full time itinerant ministry as an evangelist and
missionary.
In each situation, I had a choice to make. Try to keep everything
together by either compromise, deception, or strong armed tactics
exercising my "pastoral authority", or move on.
It's much easier now, looking back, to realize that much of my own
struggle in each situation had to do with my failure to recognize God was
taking a vision, originally born in my heart but subsequently cloned in
the heart of a church, and making it into two ---- one for my life, and
one for the life of the church. I was wanting them to be a "surrogate
mother" for my "child".
As I read and reread the notes from my two brothers in the Lord, a couple
of things became clear. One, is that the people involved in both sides
love each other very much and have a deep desire that the issue of
differing understandings of the vision be amiably resolved. The other is
that much of their perspectives come not so much from the original vision
as from differing philosophies and differing procedural mechanism
subsequently surfacing out of the vision ---- and the second one feeds
from the first.
On the one hand, the philosophical understanding of the vision is being
painted in very broad and general strokes, while on the other it is being
painted in fine and specific detail. Because of that, sizes and styles
of paint brushes are necessarily being used, and the picture is being
necessarily critiqued differently ---- but it's the same picture.
What I am writing is not to be interpreted as any sort of preference or
counsel regarding this particular situation. It simply illustrates
something that sometimes happens between people or ministries when trying
to see the vision fulfilled. Let me address four basic thoughts:
CAUSES OF A DIVISION OF VISION:
What Causes A Division of Vision? It seems to me that a division of
vision can be caused primarily by a few simple things, such as . . . . .
1. A distraction away from the vision, thus opening the door for
misunderstanding.
Distractions are subtle little creatures that almost always slip in
unawares. In fact, we are actually distracted from the distractions
until they are hidden from immediate view. I already wrote about this is
some detail in "Shoulder to Shoulder" # 111, written February 28th, so
won't belabor the point other than to say that if you get distracted from
the vision, it is probable that the vision will become something
different that what it originally was ----- there's just too much
opportunity for residue, contamination, or perversion to take place.
2. The selfish work of the flesh disguising itself in garbs of
spirituality.
This most often manifests itself in forms of control, ownership, false
authority, dedication, or even the proverbial martyr complex.
We must never get over the fact that the flesh will always be at work
trying to either derail or destroy the vision. It is absolutely
diabolical just how evil the residue of the flesh continues to be, even
after years of walking with the Lord.
Even in our most sincere efforts in faithful service, selfish motives,
methods, and manifestations can subtly slither into the control room and
try to take over ---- marvelously disguised in appealing colors of
spiritual deception that not only go undetected, but even draw us to
obedient allegiance to the cause.
3. God's sovereign intention to expand the kingdom's work.
Seldom when we see division do we consider it to be by God's design.
Now, let me be clear that I do not believe God intends division to come
through divisiveness and controversy. However, I do believe that
dividing things is the primary way God works. The old adage "you
multiply by dividing" is often true in this particular case. For example
. . . .
Jesus called the twelve disciples to Himself, and then divided them into
three working groups of four led by Peter, James, and John.
He sent the 12 out, divided into six teams of two each. He sent the 70
out, divided into 35 teams of two each.
So ---- I propose to you that discovering a difference in the vision
between you and a partner in ministry, or between you and your church,
may not necessarily be a result of conflict or controversy. It just
could be that God is wanting to expand the kingdom.
PROPER RESPONSE TO SUCH DIVISION:
How Should I Respond To Such A Division?
1. Submit yourself to the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit.
He is the one who knows the intents and thoughts of the heart, and it is
He who will give you clarity of thought, divine revelation, and
understanding of proper response. If the division is not from God, He'll
let you know.
2. Refuse to approach the differences in an adversarial mode.
One of the Church's great tragedies remains that of seeing each other as
competitors for the same prize, or as teams playing against each other.
That same mentality prevails in the minds of many ministers ---- they are
jealous, suspicious, and often very protective of things they see as
their own.
If you're going to be able to work through any apparent division
regarding where God is taking you, it will be absolutely necessary to
view each other as being on the same team rather than on opposing ones.
And, I can tell you that the flesh is rebellious enough to want to
totally reject that type of servant spirit and cooperative agenda.
3. Seek the counsel and wisdom of others more experienced than yourself.
While you can be certain that no other person will fully see the vision
you have, there are still some very wise and experienced people who have
been in the harness of ministry for many years who can share out of their
own experiences and wisdom. Although you cannot base your final
conclusions solely on what they may say, you can certainly gain valuable
perspective and insight by talking with such people.
4. Consider the possibility that you may be trying to protecting
something that is not yours to protect.
This is one of the most subtle traps into which you can fall. As I
mentioned a week or two ago, you may possess the vision, but you will
never own it. The vision will always be God's, though He gives it to you
for a season.
Therefore, it stands to reason that He can also take the vision from you
and give it to someone else, or He can divide it with another for you to
share jointly.
A crucial question of self examination in a case such as a shared vision
is, "Am I trying to protect something I don't own as if I did own it?"
And, take time to get an honest answer.
5. Look at the division as an opportunity for God to expand His Kingdom
work.
Imagine for a moment ---- instead of you being right, and the other
minister or the church being wrong, . . . . what if you're both right?
What if this is God's way of expanding His kingdom work by creating two
visions in the place of one?
Consider the possibilities of just what all God could accomplish through
two entities, each one working in unity with each other, but in fact with
now separate and refined vision. The ramifications are enormous.
BIBLICAL BASIS FOR SUCH A DIVISION:
What is the Biblical Basis For A Division of Vision? Or is there one?
I believe there is.
Let me use two scenarios I used in my letter to this brother about which
I have written. The first is that of a river. Here's part of what I
wrote:
"Your reference to the river is also fascinating, especially if you look
at it in light of what happens to major river systems.
"All rivers begin as a small stream, spring, ditch, lake, or pond. As
the stream continues, others join it until it becomes a giant movement of
water, such as the Nile or Mississippi."
It has been my privilege to see both ends of the Mississippi River, and I
can tell you that both are spectacular ---- but in differing ways. When
our girls were young, we traveled to Minnesota one Summer for a couple
weeks of fishing. They reminded me that the Mississippi River had its
origin in Minnesota, and they thought it would be a good teaching
experience for them to see its headwaters.
So, away we went ---- to Lake Itasca, near Bemidji, MN.
That particular day, it was my privilege (and pride) to straddle the
Mighty Mississippi, one foot on one bank, and the other on another. We
walked up and down that river, boasting of our great accomplishment to
each other ---- and then later struggled together pulling bloodsucking
leeches from each other's feet, legs, and waists.
Years before, as a teen aged boy, I had experienced the joys of the
Mississippi further down stream ---- near New Orleans, to be exact.
There, all I could do was squish my toes in its delta mud.
In between the headwaters and the final outlet into the Gulf of Mexico,
that river follows a mostly singular course, yet touching and blessing
the lives of millions along the way.
As it courses southward, however, two significant things happen.
First, it is joined by other water sources. Some are tiny ditches and
unnamed creeks. Others, like the St. Crois, the Wisconsin, the Illinois,
the Missouri, the Gravois, the Ohio, and so on, also join forces, but all
in a unity of purpose ---- go south with all expediency.
Second, it gains both momentum and mass. It gets bigger and bigger as it
journeys to its intended destination. It never remains the same. And,
it cannot be stopped. Each place a dam is built only momentarily delays
it and further expands its influence.
However, not long before it reaches the journey's end, something
extraordinary begins to take place. Because the land levels out,
sediment builds up, resistance intensifies, or outlets increase, that
great river begins to divide up again into multitudes of smaller
tributaries, each one going its own way ---- in the same general
direction and with the same specified destination.
The result of that is what we call the Mississippi Delta.
I went on in my letter to say . . . .
"The interesting thing, though, is what happens just before it (the Nile)
hits the ocean ---- it splits again into many tributaries and creates
Goshen ---- a delta land of enormous productivity, life, fertility, and
moisture. That's where the greatest harvest can take place in the midst
of desert conditions all around.
"Seems to me that's where you are."
So, my friend ---- if you've been finding some things happening in your
shared vision that you felt were disconcerting, take another look. If
all things prove to be true and pure in your heart and in that of your
vision sharers, it may be that you've just entered Goshen, and your
greatest ministries, once shared with others, are now seeking their own
way ---- both of you still in the center of God's will. It's time for
the vision to divide ---- and increase the harvest.
The second scenario I used was that of the human body. Paul uses the
body as an allegorical illustration of the Church, the body of Christ.
He identifies the various parts of the body, and shows how each member of
the body is unique in purpose, design, shape, and visibility, yet all are
part of the same body.
But, let's go back even further. How are each of those parts of the body
created?
Obviously, the answer is "from cells".
Yes, but what happens to the cells that cause the creation of the body
parts, which, in turn, cause the creation and growth of the body?
(Get this, because I think it's awesome!)
The Body Grows because cells divide!
Isn't that fantastic?!?
Friend, there are many brothers and sisters in Christ who have lived
under clouds of condemnation and guilt because they felt they were either
terribly wrong or had been wronged terribly when a shared vision seemed
to be coming apart or heading different directions ---- when all the
while, God was simply growing the Body and multiplying its effectiveness
by dividing a cell.
Don't you feel stupid when you find you've been actually hindering what
God was doing by resisting something He was actually initiating??? I
sure do. I've been there, too ---- and done that, too!
Why was it that persecution came to the Church in Jerusalem? Well, you
may not agree, but I believe it was because, just as in Babel, God's
people didn't heed what He told them to do. In Babel he told them to
scatter and replenish the earth. In Jerusalem He told them to scatter
and proclaim the Gospel.
In Babel they didn't and He gave them the confusion of languages so
they'd do it. In Jerusalem the didn't, and He gave them the pain of
persecution so they'd go to all the languages of the world.
And, during that process, the division of vision was played out over and
over again. Read through the book of Acts and identify all the times
that an apparent division of a shared vision ended up expanding the
kingdom.
Don't be afraid, my friend, if the vision you've shared with another
bring you to a point where parting ways is eminent. In cases like that,
a parting of ways simply is a means of dividing up the work ---- so more
can be done.
THE UNDERGIRDING TRUTH:
Finally, what Is The Fundamental Truth that Must Undergird A Vision In
Division?
Psalm 133: 1-3 ---- "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers
to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious oil upon the head,
coming down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, coming down upon the edge
of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, coming down upon the
mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing ---- life
forever."
Amos 3:3 ---- "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
I Corinthians 12:4-7 ---- "Now there are varieties of gifts but the
*Same* Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries and the *Same*
Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the *Same* God who works
all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of
the Spirit for the *Common* good."
I Corinthians 12:12, 14 ---- "For even as the body is one and yet has
many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are
*One* body. For the body is not one member, but *Many*.
Need I go on?
Whatever else might be said, one this is clear ---- it is God's intent
that there be unity in the Body of Christ, whether it is local,
territorial, or universal. And that includes in relationship to
"Vision".
That does not mean, however, that there will be "Sameness". The two
thoughts are exclusively different. Your own physical body is an
example, and Paul uses such an example to make his points, namely, 1)
There is Diversity in Unity, and 2) There is Unity in Diversity.
God continues growing the Church and expanding the Kingdom today the way
He did in Acts ---- multiplying by dividing, but all in unity.
So, in a way, the real bottom line is not whether or not there can be
division in a vision, but it is "am I willing to live in unity with my
brothers and sisters, no matter how different our callings and vision may
be?"
FINALLY:
Are you facing what appears to be a divided vision with someone? Is it
creating divisiveness between you? Are you feeling as if your vision has
been stolen from you? Or twisted and perverted by another?
Well ---- deal with it. You can't let it go on that way.
Take time to follow the suggestions I gave above, and then get with that
brother or sister or congregation and share your heart's desire that
there be unity and harmony. Share the fact that you sense this may be
God's way of creating another channel into the "Delta" of expanded
ministry.
Talk it through. Pray it through. Don't settle for anything less than
knowing with certainty just what God is saying.
Friend, it's too late in the game and the stakes are far too high to just
muddle through to the end, or become entangled in a conflict with another
person over the vision.
There's nothing wrong with God sending two people different directions
(unless they're husband and wife, of course). Life is too precious, time
is too short, and the needs are too great to give room for wasted efforts
on a vision that has become divisive instead of letting it become divided
into two compatible and concurrent streams of ministry.
In Christ's Bond and for His Glory,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright April, 2000. All rights reserved.
We would love to hear from you ---- prayer requests, insights, etc. Feel
free to drop us a note at <[email protected]>.
If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.
If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know. Write <[email protected]>.
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Hang in there! I'm with you!
-------.ooooO--------------- Ooooo--------
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AN INCREDIBLE STORY:
This past Tuesday I received an e-mail from a Christian brother,
Hans-Georg Hoprich, from Austria, which contained the following story.
Even though it lengthens my letter, I must share it. Among other things,
it shows how the vision of one's calling can motivate and drive us to the
very end.
-------------------
Subject: An Amazing Testimony re Alaska Airlines Flight 261
To one and all:
John Hernandez (a friend of ours at church) recently shared 'testimony'
that is so remarkable, and credible, that we feel compelled to share it
with a wider audience:
John related that last week he talked with an Alaska Airlines pilot who
is involved in the investigation of the horrific crash of Alaska Flight
261. The pilot has listened to the cockpit voice recorder from the downed
plane and he reported that for the last 9 minutes of the flight, the wife
of the pastor from Monroe, Washington can be heard sharing the
Gospel with the passengers over the plane's intercom system. Just before
the final dive into the Pacific Ocean, she can be heard leading the
sinner's prayer for salvation.
The pilot also told John that the flight data recorder from the plane
indicates that there is no good explanation for how the plane was able to
stay in the air for those final nine minutes. But it did stay in the air
until the pastor's wife had a chance to share the Gospel with the very
attentive passengers and presumably lead many to salvation in Christ.
So, in the midst of this tragedy, nearly 90 people had an extraordinary
opportunity to get right with their Maker just prior to meeting Him.
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