Equipping And Vision

Preparing people for their intended place in God’s design is an essential value for equipping leaders. What is often misunderstood about equipping is its relationship to church vision.

Equipping is not an end in itself or the completion of a vision. Equipping does not replace the vision and dream to win our cities to Christ. Equipping is not the destination, but how we journey. The dreams and visions God has given become more important to an equipping church for two reasons.

First, people need to be plugged into a dream so they can begin the work of ministry. One problem of many local churches is not having a dream big enough for others to join. Ministries often ask people to join them in ones and twos; but, when five show up, they have no idea what to do with them. They often do nothing with them, and in 6 weeks they wonder where their new recruits went.

Second, the church and each ministry in the church needs to answer two questions:

1. Who will equip potential partners in ministry?

2. How will we equip potential partners in ministry on a regular basis throughout the year?

We pray for workers, but many leaders would not know what to do with them if their prayers were answered. Lack of preparation or equipping is one reason many potential ministry partners quit before getting involved.

As we do the work of ministry and reach for the vision, we will bring others with us. They will learn from observation. Eventually, they will train others in the work we once did. Equipping is not an end in itself; it is a practice of ministry.

Craig E. Sweeney is associate pastor at Peoples Church (Assemblies of God), Fresno, California.