The slow, Spirit-led work of discernment

Last month, we explored God’s kingdom vision —the big picture of reconciliation between our Heavenly Father and each one of us and restoration between each of us—that shapes every local vision. But how do churches move from understanding God’s kingdom vision to living it out in their own communities? This month, we’ll take the next steps together: forming the vision slowly through Scripture, prayer and listening; cultivating the vision among people; and stepping forward with the vision.

Forming the Vision…through Scripture

Vision is not something we invent or assemble like a product; it is a picture that God slowly brings into focus. It takes shape through prayer, Scripture, and listening. We don’t rush toward quick statements or strategies. Rather, God invites His people into a posture of seeking the Lord’s counsel. 

As leaders and congregations, we approach Scripture with prayer, asking to see God’s kingdom vision and heart for the community. Consider reading and praying through passages such as Isaiah 61:1–3, Ezekiel 37:1–14, Matthew 5:13–16, John 10:10, or John 15:1–8. Let these texts shape the imagination for what the Lord desires to do in our midst.

Reflect together with questions like:

• What images, promises, or words stand out as we read these passages?
• How do these Scriptures paint a picture of the kind of life God desires for our community?
• Where do we see connections between what God promises here and the realities of our own neighborhood?
• What longings or hopes rise in us as we imagine God bringing these words to life among us?

These are not one-time questions. Returning to them again and again becomes a prayerful posture through which God shapes vision, clarifies direction, and deepens dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Forming the Vision…with Attention to Context

Forming vision also means paying attention to the community and its Gospel need. God has placed each church in a distinct neighborhood, among people with real opportunities and challenges. Asking questions like these helps leaders see their context more clearly:

• Passions: What convictions or longings has God already planted in the lives of the people in this congregation?
• Possessions: What resources, spiritual gifts, and strengths has the Lord entrusted to this church?
• Problems: What needs in the wider community reveal a gap where God’s kingdom has not yet been fully seen? What places long for restoration, hope and renewal?

Often, vision begins to take shape where these three meet—when the passions and gifts of God’s people intersect with the deep needs of the surrounding community.

This kind of attentiveness takes time. It may even feel counterintuitive compared to “just getting to work.” But listening and observing is not wasted. It creates clarity, builds trust, and makes space for the Holy Spirit to form a vision that sends the congregation out to share the Gospel and make disciples.

Download The 3Ps of Missional Vision to work through identifying your church’s passions, possessions, and problems.

Forming the Vision…through Holy Discontent

As the church listens to Scripture and pays attention to the community, God often awakens a holy discontent. This is the deep conviction that we cannot stay where we are. If only the pastor or leadership team feels this, the vision will stall. But when the Holy Spirit stirs a congregation to notice the people around them who are disconnected from Jesus, a shared urgency begins to grow.

Holy discontent is born out of spiritual maturity as believers grow in Christ and increasingly reflect the heart of God. As disciples are shaped by the Word, their longings begin to mirror the Lord’s longings. Their eyes open to the realities around them, and their hearts ache for the restoration, reconciliation and renewal that only the kingdom of God can bring.

Sometimes this holy discontent surfaces in simple questions: Who will share Jesus with our neighbors if not us? What if God is calling us beyond comfort into new ways of reflecting the kingdom in our community?

Vision rooted in holy discontent is less about dissatisfaction with the past and more about longing for the people in our community to be restored to God. It is a Spirit-given restlessness that compels the church to pray, listen, and step forward together in hope.

In Closing…

Share this article with your leadership team. Reflect together on how God may be shaping or refining the vision—whether your congregation is in a season of forming something new or being called into a fuller expression of vision for this season.

Ready for the next step? Take a look at Sharing the Vision and Stepping Forward with the Vision.