The Bible continually points out the need to consider the future and see the possibilities that lie ahead. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (KJV).

Churches with no vision for the future die a slow but sure death. I heard about a church that used its baptistery to store old books and supplies. They couldn’t see the possibility that they might actually baptize somebody in the near future!

Imagine a church that gets rid of its rocking chairs in the nursery because “Nobody has brought a baby to church for over a year!” You can’t envision that a young couple with a baby might actually come to worship with you someday!?

A church in southern Kentucky was nearly completely surrounded by a cemetery, leaving the congregation no room to expand. When their church building burned down, they had enough insurance coverage to rebuild. They could have built their new building in a number of possible locations. Do you know where they chose to rebuild? On the exact same spot where the old building stood!

We could go on and on about individuals and congregations that have exhibited little or no vision in times of opportunity. Jesus says that we shouldn’t be like them. He says, “…I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35).

We should have great expectations for what God wants to do through us. Every church needs people who have a vision of a better tomorrow. Maybe that person is you!