There are multiple problems with this video and some things embedded in those problems that are biblically sound. I suppose, the first place that one needs to start is with the word vision. What does Piper mean?
First, the vision of the church, or any other organ of the church is clearly marked out in scripture. If a teacher is not articulating that, it simply isn’t the vision that is Spirit lead.
Second, if what is meant by vision is the ministry plan, that is, how the first is going to be implemented, then we can understand just what vision means. But, if what Piper is saying is that he had a vision of what needed to be done, or that what he means is not a plan of action, then the meaning of vision becomes opaque. It is best, then, to stick to the first meaning and not confuse terms.
Third, it is right to reiterate. Redundancy is the method of Scripture. And, just so the planned implementation of that redundancy is not forgotten, the elders’ plans should be put on the table often to the congregation in at least a news letter. But,
Fourth, it cannot be in a vague vision statement. Or any personal vision. For the reasons mentioned above, the vision of the church is not ours to create or to have anew, it is marked out by Scripture and cannot be amended or annulled. On the other hand, the plan is up to the rational minds of those in positions of leadership. And so that the congregation can fully support in deed, and supply, what “the ministry” needs to complete the vision of Scripture as implemented by the plans of the elders and deacons, the plans need to be often brought to the foreground of the congregation’s mind. Keeping sheep on task, is a job of the elders and deacons. And a fulltime occupation at that, or should be, repetitive, and the redundancy often tries the patience. But much in the way of a father and mother with a family working toward the harvest, the work might well be redundant, dirty, and a trial, throughout the season, the year, and year after year. However, as with Peter’s admonition we look at it in terms quite differently than the world.
One day is indeed fruited as if it were a thousand years- for God does, as Peter reminds us in the first chapter of the second book, look upon the diligence, the trials, the perseverance, and rewards it with a grand entrance into the kingdom for the saint. The eighth day’s gathering at the feast of tabernacles is well worth the seven-day wait, for the fact is that it is all one celebration of God with us. Peter reminds his readers of Paul’s admonition and we should learn from this that Peter was not articulating his vision of what the church should be and do, but Paul’s. Paul’s vision was that which was delivered to him by the Lord. And it was to this Peter was reminding his readers- the ancient path, that of the Great Commission- that all good pastor/teachers should be directing their flock to repeatedly.
Peter knew his time was short (our lives are but a breath). Instead of vision casting, he puts his readers in remembrance of the things that Christ taught as the vision they should look to and have hope in. The church is given a mission. That mission is spelled out in detail. Planning it out is the job of the elders and deacons, but the vision is always the same, for the same house is built by all who are called (1 Cor 4-5).
