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Introduction:
2000 a Magnetic Year
A. "THE YEAR 2000 IS OPERATING LIKE A POWERFUL MAGNET on humanity, already reaching down into the 1990s and intensifying the decade. It is amplifying emotions, accelerating change, and heightening awareness, compelling us to re-examine ourselves, our values, and our institutions.... The year 2000 is not just a new century, but a religious experience related to the religious-revival megatrend."
These words, by John Naisbitt and Patricia Aburdene in their bestseller Megatrends 2000, confront thoughtful Christians, lay and clergy, with the awareness that we are now facing what may well be "an unprecedented opportunity"! Many can see signs that unmistakably indicate the possibility of a worldwide religious revival as this third millennium begins. What direction will it take?
One thousand years ago, as Europe prepared for the coming of the second millennium, it was seized by what Bill Lawren, writing in Psychology Today, called "a paroxysm of preapocalyptic shivers." Legend tells how on the stroke of midnight before January 1,1000, the "population of an entire country, Iceland, converted en masse to Christianity, apparently as a spiritual prophylactic against the coming apocalypse."
Today evidence is mounting that this period will be used by some "end of the world" scenarists as their opportunity to spread the doctrines portrayed by many "doomsday" preachers and believers. If, however, this is all that happens as a new millennium is born, our planet will be much the poorer!
B. "VISION 2000" IS PRESENTED AS A POWERFUL CALL to all mainline Protestant congregations to prayerfully and expectantly revisualize their future, to make the last decade of the twentieth century a prelude to the emergence of the church that God is calling us to be, and faithfully to fulfill in these years the possibilities that are latent within every congregationincluding yours.
For too long too many congregations have suffered from a myopic image of death and decline, which has destroyed their vision, emasculated their power, and thwarted the efforts of deeply dedicated believers who have tried to rise above this paralyzing concept. Vision 2000 comes to affirm the words of Jesus when he said, "The time is fulfilled (now). The kingdom of God is at hand (now). The fields are already white for harvest (now)."
The year 2000 is a year in chronos time, yet it has unlimited kairos possibilities. These are the key words for time in the New Testament. Chronos deals with measurable calendar time, such as, "In the year that King Uzziah died" or "When Quinirius was governor of Syria...." So, the year 2000 is a particular moment in measurable calendar time. The other word for time is kairos. Kairos is calendar time filled full of the activity of God. It is the word for time used in the opening verses of the Gospel of Mark: "The time (kairos) is fulfilled;. . . repent, and believe in the good news" (Mark 1:15). We contend that the calendar year 2000 has powerful kairos possibilities.
In these final years of the twentieth century, the church needs to embrace and to proclaim a balanced biblical view of the future. Some may come saying that religion is dead and that the church can't change or grow. Listen for the tone of their cynicism in a one-sidedly pessimistic notion of chronos time: "Time marches on. The future is already determined by the past. The year 2000 will be nothing more than another moment in the ongoing flow of historical days, weeks, and years. Time is fate." Looking at the future through this lens, who could possibly be inspired to seek fresh vision for the coming millennium?
On the other hand, there will be the "new-agers" and/or the apocalypticists. Both inside and outside the church, some will seem to be impressed only by promises of spectacular kairos timesome great moment or impending event that will allegedly alter and align our entire lives. We can be sure that the year 2000 will not escape such attention. Watch for the signs of such false romanticism in an impatience with the practical realities of sound management and long range planning. For some, the idea of a vision for the next century will conjure nothing more than a desire to be on the right "mountain" at the right moment.
We believe that a truly biblical view of the future moves us beyond either of these counterfeits. Looking for God's future in the coming millennium, in biblical terms, will free us to embrace both chronos and kairosboth the historical day-to-day grind of "real" life, and the confidence that God can and does act in our history and in our time, "creating a new thing."
We hope to inspire you with the biblical accounts of how Moses, Abraham, Sarah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joshua, and others "leaned forward" into their future with hope and anticipation. We want you to see Jesus "leaning forward" into his commitment as he set his face "steadfastly" to go to Jerusalem. Then we want you to thrill to the meaning of that vision for you and your church. We want you to understand the motivating power of the early Christians as they "leaned forward" and moved from Jerusalem out to the uttermost parts of the world.
C. "VISION 2000 CONGREGATIONS AFFIRM THE POSTURE and the potential of bold faith, enthusiastic expectation, vital prayer, and committed obedience. They affirm that "with God's help, we will turn from our excuses, our evasions, and our apathy to a new sterling quality of commitment. We can and will see our future in a new way. We can and will know the transforming power and presence of Jesus Christ in our midst. We can and will be faithful in reaching out to individuals in the spirit of Christ, in sensitively helping them relate to him, in expectantly seeing the difference he makes in their lives, our lives, the life of the church, and the life of the world.
Yes, Vision 2000 congregations are hopeful! They are exciting, caring, and positive. They are creative, imaginative, courageousalways willing not only to be open to God's dreams and visions, but also to be a "colaborer with Christ" in the work of his kingdom. They not only believe, but are willing to venture out on the conviction that God's dreams and visions are called into being through ordinary people pastors and laity and through ordinary congregations like yours.
You have now read far enough to know what is "envisioned" as a part of Vision 2000. The next question is, "Are you with us?" Are you willing to think of your congregation as one of a great flotilla of ships that is charting its course, choosing its direction, and steaming toward all that God has purposed for you to do and to become? Or is this too great an effort? Is it easier instead to disappear into the depths as some congregations seem committed to do?
Make no mistake about it. You and your congregation will experience the year 2000. How will you prepare for its coming? What difference will you make during these intervening years? Consider the fact that there are more people "out there" in our communities who are unrelated to the church and yet who need what the church has to offer, than ever before. They and others, if properly approached, are more than willing to "taste and see" if your church, your faith, your love, and your discipleship are for them.
Will you become a "Vision 2000 church"?
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