Bishop Jones Writes
...
Greetings!
It is both an
honor and a privilege to write to you during this
time of sabbatical leave for Bishop Baxter.
My own sabbaticals have been life-giving. I
am praying daily that your good bishop will be
blessed and refreshed during this time away.
One of my
interests as a bishop is helping clergy and
leaders discern God’s vision. The longer I
have served in ordained ministry, the more I have
come to appreciate the power of a vision that
could only have come from God.
Outside of
Charlottesville, Virginia, I took a tour of
Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. In
a video at the Visitor’s Center, I heard this
statement: “George Washington fought the
American Revolution while Thomas Jefferson
thought it.” The video went on to say
how many people throughout history have lived and
died for ideas and ideals and visions. That
statement rang true to my experience regarding the
mission of the Church. Whether it be with
organizing a mission trip, planning an adult
education program or a youth event, a compelling
vision is inspiring.
A vision for
ministry comes from God. It is a result of
constant prayer. It embraces dreams and
hopes. It describes a future reality and it
is descriptive of what God is calling us to be.
A Vision from
God is Exciting. It stirs the heart. It energizes
the listener. It inspires the leader and it is
audacious and bold.
A Vision from
God is infectious. It is the source of
inspiration and it is the rallying point of
leadership.
As I have
witnessed new initiatives for mission, I have seen
again and again of how important it is for one
person to hold a vision for ministry – how one
person can hear a call and then move and motivate
dozens to serve. And I have witnessed again
and again, how congregations can capture a vision
and how that vision is a source of unity,
strength, and inspiration.
May we
appreciate the power of a vision for our
congregations and may we pray that we have the
grace and wisdom to discern what God is calling us
to be and what God is calling us to do.
Faithfully,
+ David
David Colin
Jones
Bishop in Residence
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