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"Where there is no vision, the people perish," the writer of the Old Testament book of Proverbs declares (Proverbs 29:18). Without a vision and an understanding of their mission, churches will continue to struggle and falter. Without a clear sense of identity people begin blaming each other over the plight of the church. People will blame their pastor or church leaders for the problems the church is experiencing. The church might even lose members; no one wants to be part of a church where members are in strong disagreement with each other over trivial matters.

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Churches have been developing vision and mission statements for years. Some are precise and to the point, "to make disciples of Jesus Christ," or "to know Jesus and make him known," or "to live the Great Commission." Vision statements need to be short enough that people can remember and readily repeat them. When everyone in the congregation embraces their vision and mission, the church will continue its ministry in a positive direction. People will naturally be drawn to that church. People will proudly state what their church is doing in the community and around the world.

According to Bill Hybels "vision is a picture of the future that produces passion in you." A clear God-inspired vision will produce a passion in you -- a passion that cannot be easily quenched.

A retired airplane pilot had fallen away from God during his high school days. The path he had chosen for himself led to destructive behavior. Later in life he surrendered his life to Christ. Today he is a leader in his church's high school and college group. For many years he has opened his home every Monday night to cook a meal for a group of students. He claims that Monday is his best day of the week.

A carpenter shares that while growing up his dad was never around to care for his family. His passion remains years later to offer free handyman assistance to a group of single mothers in the church.

Awoman went through a gut-wrenching and humiliating divorce. During that time she had nowhere to turn. Today, she leads a divorce recovery ministry in her church.1 "Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion in you." What are you passionate about?

The Corinthian congregation was in the midst of a conflict that if not soon resolved could destroy the church. The situation was serious. In that congregation some people who were critical of the apostle Paul while others were supportive of him. Some might even have blamed Paul for their present difficulties. In the midst of disagreements we should remember that Paul's goal was always to build up the church and never tear it down.

Paul experienced opposition firsthand. It seemed that everywhere he went he found himself in trouble. Whenever he spoke there were people who were offended or upset. Paul's devotion to Jesus Christ found him frequently arrested and in jail. Still, Paul had a clear understanding of his life mission; he was called and commissioned by Jesus himself. He passionately proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ everywhere he went. With that strong sense of mission Paul traveled throughout the ancient world sharing the good news of Jesus and starting churches. Nothing would stop him. Not a ship wreck, not threats of physical harm, and not people who were critical of him! Nothing could curb Paul's passion.

Paul was not trying to win any popularity contest either. He did not depend on positive feedback from his listeners. Had he depended on accolades from others, his ministry might well have ended in frustration and despair early on. Paul kept his focus believing with all his heart that his reward was in heaven. The praise of others was not something that Paul sought. For Paul praise or blame really did not matter. Praise and blame was the same. He would continue to speak the gospel truth boldly despite the praise or blame he received.

This concept is something that we in the church need to embrace. We need to passionately go out sharing our faith in Jesus' name. We want others to discover for themselves the joy we have found in Jesus. There might be times when other people do not want to hear what we have to say, or have kind words for us, or maybe even call us names. We cannot allow such bad experiences to slow us down -- we must continue. There may be times when we take a stand based on our faith that is viewed as unpopular among our peers. Paul teaches us that as long as we are speaking the truth it really does not matter what other people think of us, praise or blame is all the same.

In response to the problems the Corinthians were experiencing Paul wanted them to refocus on their vision and mission. Believers do not belong to themselves but are servants of Christ. Paul writes, "Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries." The focus of ministry is not about ourselves and our perceived needs but rather about Jesus Christ. There are times, especially in the midst of congregational difficulties, when we need to be reminded that we are servants of the Lord. Servants are both trustworthy and accountable to their master.

We are servants of Jesus Christ. It may be difficult to view ourselves as servants. We live in a culture that values the movers and shakers, those who take charge and make a name for themselves. People do not always pay attention to servants; the term is frequently viewed in negative light. Unfortunately sometimes those attitudes creep into the church when people insist on their own way disregarding other people's feelings and ideas. People within the congregation who crave power and control always do more harm than good.

We should know our place; we are servants of Jesus Christ. Our agenda is to do the will of the master -- Jesus. With everything we say or do we point not to ourselves but to Jesus. What God values is our faithfulness. "Moreover," Paul writes, "it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." Jesus trusts us to carry out the ministry that he began to the present and future. A question to ask ourselves is have we lived our lives in such a way that we are trustworthy?

Paul's message to the troubled Corinthians and to us today is instead of being critical and finding fault with each other we should spend that same energy as trustworthy servants in ministry. The servant has specific responsibilities and duties to perform. The servant will be held accountable.

David Sharp has been volunteering with inner-city, at risk teenagers for the last five years. When he first started David felt that this was what God wanted him to do, and he was filled with passion and enthusiasm. Those feelings wore off after the third or fourth week; he claims that he "was spinning my wheels." The teenagers were unruly, undisciplined, and out of control. "I found myself unsure if this was where I needed to be," he says of his experience, "but with prayer and soul searching, I kept showing up."

David continued volunteering at the center where over a period of several years he developed a special relationship with the teens. His attitude changed when he began viewing each teen as a precious gift from God. He continued to show them that he loved them and cared for them. As a result more young people began to come to the center.

One day as the teens were getting ready to board a bus to go home, there was an incident outside. David asked for help from a couple of the teens. After the situation was handled one of the teens told David, "We love you." Upon hearing those words David thought the teen was kidding, "Are you messing with me?" he asked. "No," the other said. "We love you; you really care about us."2

We strive to do our best and need not worry about what other people think of us. Only Jesus will judge us. Since ultimately the only person Paul would answer to was Jesus, he was not concerned with what other people thought of him. To Paul praise or blame really did not matter -- to him it was all the same. Paul knew in his heart that he was a trustworthy servant. What people thought or did not think of him was of no concern to Paul. "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court," Paul wrote, "I do not even judge myself."

Paul was quite confident in carrying out Jesus' ministry knowing that, "It is the Lord who judges me." We too can participate in outreach ministries with that same sense of confidence knowing that Jesus will judge each of us. Jesus "will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart." Jesus will not be fooled by self-promotions. We may be able to fool others but we cannot fool Jesus. Instead of seeking status from each other, we need to recognize that it is the Lord who judges -- that is the only commendation that matters.

The day will come when each one of us will stand in judgment. We on that day will be accountable to no one but God. We are not here to win popularity contests but to live out our faith in such a way as to glorify Jesus. Like Paul, praise or blame really does not matter to us, it is all the same. The business of praise and blame clearly belongs to God.

May our God-given vision propel us individually and as a church to carry out the ministry that Jesus began. And like Paul, may we stop at nothing. Amen.

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1. Bill Hybels, Holy Discontent (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007), p. 60.

2. David Sharp, "You Really Care," Upper Room, March 26, 2009, p. 33.