I Want This City…
The role of a pastor in leading God’s people is unique and profound. Pastors often underestimate the power of their vision—visions inspired by God to bring health, healing, and salvation to their communities. The pastoral vision is not born of personal ambition or pride but of divine inspiration, cultivated through communion with God and driven by a deep desire to fulfill His mission on Earth. It is this vision that empowers pastors to inspire others, mobilize resources, and take new territory for the Lord.
A God-Given Vision
Pastors do not work alone, nor is the vision of God exclusive to them. Yet pastors often have the privilege of spending dedicated time in prayer, worship, and study, allowing them to see more clearly what loving obedience to God looks like in practice. This clarity enables them to share their vision with others, calling the church to action and aligning their collective efforts with God’s plans.
The complementary roles in the pastor/physician team reflect the balance of practicality and spirituality. The physician’s role is to keep the pastor grounded in practical service, while the pastor’s role is to keep the physician’s vision focused on the gospel. Together, with a shared vision and shared ability to practically minister, they form a powerful partnership, addressing both the physical and spiritual needs of a community.
The Responsibility of Leadership
Like a construction foreman responsible for directing a crew, pastors are not called to do all the work themselves. Their role is to see the spiritual landscape clearly, identify the opportunities for service and evangelism, and mobilize the church to act. A pastor who attempts to carry the mission alone limits the potential impact of the entire church body. By sharing the vision and delegating tasks, pastors can lead God’s people to accomplish far more than they ever could individually.
This lesson is illustrated in the story of the foreman who was fired for doing the work himself rather than directing his crew. The owner explained that his job was to lead, not to labor alone, as only through leadership could the team achieve its full potential. In the same way, a pastor’s role is to guide, inspire, and equip the church to bring God’s blessings to the world.
A Personal Experience with the Power of Vision
I witnessed the power of the pastoral vision firsthand when my pastoral partner invited me to assist him in evangelism. Initially, I established my clinic in another town near the hospital, believing it to be the most strategic location for building a practice and seeing the most patients. But one day, the pastor drove me to the top of a hill overlooking the city where his church was. He pointed out the expanse of the town and said, “I want this city.”
At first, I didn’t understand. What was he saying? What was he asking? Was I supposed to have something to do with reaching this city? How could I give him the city? I had no authority or resources to do so. Yet he persisted. His conviction was clear, and as he prayed, I began to see his vision as more than a personal ambition—it was a God-inspired desire to bring salvation and healing to this community. Over the following months, I felt compelled to move my practice closer to his church and into the city he envisioned.
Starting over in a new location was not easy. Resources were limited, and rebuilding a practice after just establishing one required sacrifice and faith. But the results were positive. Over time, the clinic grew to serve over 5,000 thousand patients annually. At that time, the city limit sign stated the population was just over 10,000. We were seeing the equivalent of one-half the city’s population per year. We actually drew from a much larger area, including neighboring towns and the county, but the connections within the city were significant. The practice became a hub of medical and spiritual outreach, with literature on health and salvation in the waiting room and Bible workers engaging patients in meaningful conversations. The impact on the community was significant, and lives were transformed due to this partnership between medical ministry and pastoral vision.
The Call to Action
Pastors, do not underestimate the power of your God-given vision. Your role is to lift the eyes of your partners in ministry and your congregation beyond the present and show them what God can accomplish through their obedience. This vision is not about personal gain or competition but about fulfilling the mission of salvation and blessing God desires for His people to share with the world.
Your vision can mobilize resources, inspire action, and change your community. Share it boldly, trust God’s provision, and lead your people with faith and courage. The territory God has shown you—whether a single soul, a neighborhood, or an entire city—is ground He intends to claim through the work of His church. Stand firm in the vision He has given you, and watch as He moves to accomplish His will through His people.
This is the power of the pastoral vision—to see with the eyes of faith, to inspire action, and to lead God’s people into service that transforms lives and communities for His glory.
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