![]() Associations of the future are driven by vision and affinity. Vision is defined as the ability to visualize today what can exist and should exist in the future. Vision is a clear and challenging picture of the future. Affinity is an inherent likeness or agreement; a close resemblance or connection. Churches and Great Commission organizations will be drawn to the vision because of their affinity with the vision. Churches choose to voluntarily cooperate based on a common vision and affinity. Churches choose to align themselves with organizations and networks, which help advance the God-given vision for their specific congregation. Because of the limitations of time and resources, churches choose to be strategically connected with those entities that compliment the essence of their unique design. In other words, churches who desire to live out their Spirit –led DNA are looking to affiliate and participate in like-minded visions. There is a growing movement, a re-alignment of churches in Associations and networks, along the lines of vision and affinity. Associations of the future are characterized by those two components and not by geography. If an Association wishes to be a vibrant part of the future of what God is doing, especially among the younger generations, it must position itself to assist, encourage and resource churches as they participate in the Great Commission and the two Great Commandments. Another distinction of Associations of the future is being a church-first organization. Associations do not exist for themselves. They exist to serve churches as churches fulfill their God-given calling of making disciples of all the nations. Associations do not compete with churches for ministry. Churches do the ministry and Associations assist, encourage and resource those churches. Its purpose statement justifies the very existence of an Association. In other words, to assist, encourage and resource churches to participate in the Great Commission and the two Great Commandments is the purpose for existing. When Associations do not fulfill their purpose, to be church-first, they violate their very essence. Associations of the future will always remain a church-first organization not an Association-first organization.
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Darrell L. HornArchives
January 2016
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