J. Samuel Escobar, “Vision and Continuity”
Vision and Continuity in Our Time, FES Singapore, 2009, p19-22
One of the great dangers of student work, as of many other aspects of Christian activity, is that it may become an institution in which the vision is lost and new generations continue with the motions but without the spirit of the movement. (18)
A vision is contagious, and it is transmitted by people to people. While vision can be articulated on paper or tape, transmitting it will always involve people, because a vision becomes something that possesses you, a dream in which you believe with all your heart and strength. Within the body of Christ, it becomes God’s will for us and we are ready to sacrifice and work hard for it… It is people who embody visions. Transmission of vision involves people discipling other people. (18)
Leave room for unstructured times of friendship and acquaintance in your schedule. Let the old people tell their story and encourage them to be personal and honest.
(We need) to see student work as part of a wider reality – God’s people and God’s kingdom. This gives us a sense of history and makes us humble. There is always the danger of seeing only our corner of God’s work as the most important, strategic and worth of attention and support. That is only one step away from sectarianism. In biblical perspective, God is at work all over the world in time and space and we are part of that bigger reality, just one small part. This does not mean that we are not important, but it sets what we do in correct perspective. It helps us to relate what we do to what others are doing in the body of Christ… We can naturally see a continuity in space and time. (20)
Within the larger framework of God’s kingdom, we have to grasp clearly the specific responsibility of our own generation… Continuity will not mean a servile mechanical repetition of the motions of the past generation, but a grasping of a large vision and an awareness of the particular moment in which each generation lives. (21)
As the movement grows, graduates are organized and a supporting community developed… Several movements keep a good balance between younger staff that have one or two years of service and senior staff that provide continuity. (22)
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