Solomon said that where there is no vision, the people perish. When God called me to preach as a young Bible college freshman, I had no idea that I would ever pastor a church. My heroes at that time were Bill Rice and Glen Schunk, both evangelists. But, I have had the unspeakable privilege of pastoring just shy of 50 years, and I could not even imagine doing anything more rewarding—challenging as it most often was.
One time, a brother in the church that I pastored here in Indy asked me to open my heart and share with the church my dreams, goals, desires, and hopes for our church. That was fourteen years into my ministry in the church that I would end up pastoring for 40 years, before becoming its “pastor emeritus” in 2019. Here is the message I delivered in response to his sincere request.
I dream of a church:
- Whose faith is spread abroad, cf. I Thess. 1:2-8 (especially for our heart for missions)
- Which is of one accord, Phil. 3:16; Acts 2:1,46; 4:32
- Whose members love the truth, III John 4: “I have no greater joy….”
- Which is deeply committed to world missions and to missionaries, Phil.4
- A soul-winning church where people not infrequently come back rejoicing because they have gone out weeping (Ps. 126:5,6)
- A church that ministers to all people—young and old, married and single
- A church that recognizes the biblical pattern of authority in the home, state, church
- A pure church
- A church that has just had or is about to have or is just now having a revival: revival meetings, revival messages, revival messengers!
- A church that is a functioning candlestick, Rev. 1:20
- A church whose music glorifies God (does not appeal to the flesh, does not exalt man)
- A church where any human being feels warmly welcomed (regardless of race, economic or social status, nationality)
- A church more interested in building people than in building buildings!
- A church that loves the unlovely, touches the untouchable, reaches the unreachable, and offers hope to the hopeless
- A church that considers the family sacred
- A church that places a high priority on the education of our children—by example and by instruction
- A church where the Word of God is primary and is the focus of every worship service; and where the blood, the Bible, holiness, love and prayer, and the soon-coming of Christ can still be heard of
- A church where members’ genuine love for one another is unequivocal and unconditional, I Pt. 4:8
- A church where an old-fashioned “Amen” or “Praise the Lord” or “Preach it Brother” would not knock someone off their seat!
- In summary: A church where the preaching is hot; the praying is fervent; the singing is spirited; the people are genuine; the pastor is leading; the leaders are respected; the missionaries are heroes; the evangelists are revered; souls are sought after; the gospel is proclaimed; the giving is generous; and the services are sweet.
I believe it was Dr. Harold Sightler—pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Greenville, SC (1952-1995)—who wrote the following, with which I concur and conclude:
“I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Ghost power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. I won’t look back, I won’t let up, I won’t slow down, I won’t back away, I won’t be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secured.
“I’m finished and done with low living and sight walking and small planning and smooth knees and colorless dreams and tame visions and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, I no longer need prosperity, I no longer need position, I no longer need promotion or popularity.
“I don’t have to be right, I don’t have to be first, I don’t have to be on top, I don’t have to be recognized, I don’t have to be praised, I don’t have to be regarded nor rewarded. I now live by presence, lean by faith, walk by patience, lift by prayer and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, and my companions are few. My Guide is reliable; and my mission is clear.
“I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice nor hesitate in the presence of adversity, nor negotiate at the table of the enemy, nor ponder the pool of popularity. I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I’ve stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and preached up for the cause of Christ.
“I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, work till He stops me; and when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.
“My colors are clear!”
Dr. Harold Sightler (1914-1995)
YOU and GOD 