An ever-growing Church

May 17, 2007

By Gary Rogers

Walt Disney was a true visionary. A statement he made reflected his passion: “Disneyland will never be finished.” In that sentence he made it clear his personal endeavor would never have a stopping place. The development and expansion of his theme park would continue to be under construction. There would always be another entertaining ride to build, another fantasy area to develop, and another creative place of escape to be designed.

The story is told how Disney would always have a picture of the design of his next project on the wall of his office. By seeing it on a daily basis he would be reminded of his next visionary expansion. In the closing time of his life Disney continued to see the future. He is said to have tacked the plans of his newest project on the ceiling of his hospital room.

When a reporter interviewed this dreamer near the end of his life he was asked to lie next to Disney on the hospital bed so together they could see Disney’s ever-unfolding dream. For a visionary the only thing more rewarding than receiving a vision and developing a dream is to share it with someone.

This same heart should be in the Church. I’m convinced the church of Jesus Christ is never finished. Your local church may start out as a small new building on the highway, then add a larger sanctuary with a balcony, then an outreach youth center, then a drug rehab shelter. Even then it is not finished. From there your church may help build another church in Africa, another church in Mexico, perhaps a hospital in India. The Church is never finished.

“On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18, NIV).

We must always be looking to the future. There is always another life-changing ministry to start, another opportunity to touch someone with Jesus’ love, and another means by which people can be reached for the kingdom of heaven. It is great to live with a vision and a dream.

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.