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EPISODE NOTES
Dr. Derwin L. Gray unpacks the power of effective vision casting for life transformation within the church. Drawing from the words of Jesus, he shares personal stories of forgiveness and reconciliation, highlighting the need for unity in a world plagued by division and racism. By outlining practical steps for casting vision and emphasizing the call to love God and others, Dr. Derwin L. Gray inspires us as church leaders to join in the mission of spreading God’s grace and love. This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the church and the profound impact that individuals can have when they align their vision with the values of Jesus. Tune in to be inspired and equipped to lead a church of purpose and impact.
Episode Takeaways:
- The Importance of Vision Casting: Learn about the “God-inspired ability to see a future that does not yet exist but should,” and how it can transform lives by inspiring people to bring that vision into their present reality.
- Leading with Love: Discover how Jesus’s teachings on loving God, ourselves, and our neighbors can serve as the ultimate framework for personal growth and community leadership.
- The Power of Racial Reconciliation: Hear a powerful story of reconciliation and the critical role of overcoming prejudices within the church and our communities to foster a more united church.
- Implementing the Vision: Dr. Derwin L. Gray shares practical steps for effectively casting and implementing a vision that addresses real-world problems with eternal solutions.
- The Role of Every Leader: Whether you’re in a formal position of leadership or not, find out how you can cast visions that captivate and motivate others toward positive change.
SHOW TRANSCRIPTION
0:00:48
I want to take you deep into the heart of Texas. I am from San Antonio, Texas, and there is a phenomenon in Texas called Friday Night Lights. I played for a high school called Converse Judson right outside of San Antonio, Texas. And our high school games, football games, that is, if there’s any other sport. No. No shade. No shade. But the football games, you would have ten to 12,000 people. Like, it was a moment. It was called Friday Night Lights. As a matter of fact, it’s so popular that back in the day, there was actually a movie called Friday Night Lights that detailed the 1988 state championship, class five A, which was the biggest at that time between the famous Dallas Carter Cowboys and Odessa Permian. But here’s the problem, though, and here’s why I didn’t see the movie. Because in 1998, Dallas Carter did not play Odessa Permian in the state championship. They played converse Judson High School in the state championship at the old Dallas Cowboys football stadium. How do I know?
0:01:53
Because I was a team captain for Judson and I played in the game. But nevertheless, I’m over the. I’ve gotten therapy before it. I’m over that. But here’s my point. Dallas Carter was phenomenal. I mean, it was amazing. Our team was phenomenal. It was amazing. Yet they utterly destroyed us on the field. We won because of a technicality. But here’s the thing, though. At Converse Judson High School, we have a epic football tradition. And Texas high school football legend, my former head coach, DW Rutledge, was the ultimate vision caster. And what do I mean by that?
0:02:34
He taught us and coached us in such a way that he showed us what the future could be. And we were so eager for that future that it impacted our present. Well, listen, as a ministry leader, as a pastor, as a parent, as a friend, your capacity to vision cast for life transformation is important. And so I wanna speak primarily to the pastors and ministry leaders. But this is also for concerned followers of Christ who wanna grow in their discipleship. So here’s the deal. What is vision casting? I define vision casting this way. Vision casting is the God inspired ability to see a future that does not yet exist but should. This future is so messiah exalting and life giving that people run into the future and drag it back into the present. You show them what could be, what should be, and the vision inspires them to go, that’s what I want. Now let me pause here. If you’re a pastor, if you’re a ministry leader, you cannot cast a vision that has not cast a spell on you. And what I mean by that is this, is that in order for people to follow the vision you cast, it’s a vision that you have to embody. It’s a vision that you have.
0:04:02
And so I am captivated by vision casting, and I am captivated by the greatest vision caster of all time. And this has paid incredible dividends in the life and ministry of transformation church and even in my own life and parenting. But the greatest vision caster of all time is Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus gave us the great commandment and the great commission. The great commission or commandment reads this way. In Matthew 22 37 through 39, Jesus replied, you must love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest command. And the second is equally important. Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments. And so in the great commandment you have Upward, Inward, Outward, Ypward. Love God completely (Inward). Love yourself correctly, which leads to humility (Outward).. Love your neighbor compassionately.
0:05:00
Let’s stop. Can you imagine your congregation, through the Holy Spirit’s power, loving and living a life of love? Can you imagine them being so captivated by Jesus that they’re loving Him completely, loving themselves correctly, loving their neighbors compassionately? And who are their neighbors gonna be? Their neighbors are gonna be multiethnic and multigenerational, which flows right into the great commission. Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus came and told His disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and earth. Therefore, go make disciples of all nations. That’s the Greek word ethnos, which means people group. So that’s not just across the sea, that’s across the street. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all my commands I have given you. All of Jesus’ commands can be summed up in Upward, Inward, Outward, love God, love self, love neighbor. The rest of the verse says this, and be sure of this. I am with you always, even to the end of age.
0:06:04
So not only does Jesus cast the greatest vision possible, but He says, I’m going to be with you to give you power to cast this vision and to live this vision. So not only is this important for us individually, but it’s important for the ministries that we lead, that they are rooted, and the greatest vision cast by the greatest vision caster of all, Jesus. So a fully formed, beautiful, God exalting person is a person of UIO, Upward, Inward, Outward. If you come to Transformation Church from two years old all the way up to like, you know, man, 92 years old, if you’ve been here, you know, our vision is Upward, Inward, Outward. Love God completely. Love yourself correctly, love your neighbors compassionately. Your neighbor is multiethnic, multigenerational. And what are we motivated by? We’re motivated by the mission of Jesus. Wouldn’t that be beautiful? So as a leader, you are casting vision setting direction of where people can go, where people can be, who they can become, but it requires you to lead that. So how do we effectively cast vision for life transformation? Number one is you have to identify the problem. And I got this from Andy Stanley years ago, and I’ve modified in my own marinade. But number one, you have to identify the problem.
