Seeing with Gospel-Lens: Crafting a Theological Vision for the Church  

In today's fast-paced world, where changes in culture, societal norms, and technology are constant, how do we as Christians ensure that our vision—our worldview—is truly shaped by the gospel? The glasses through which we view the world can often be so subtle, so deeply ingrained in our perception, that we hardly notice they’re there. Yet, they dramatically influence how we interpret scripture, engage in ministry, and interact with our communities. In exploring the concept of "theological vision," we unearth the need for a clear, gospel-grounded lens to see the world through—a vision that sits between what we believe and what we do.  

Theological vision refers to the framework (or glasses) through which we perceive and apply biblical truth. People often think about vision in terms of the ‘future’, a ‘plan’ or an ‘expectation’ When Timothy Keller writes about ‘Theological Vision’ he’s referring to a way of looking at things. It involves understanding the scriptural narrative in a way that informs our perspective, ensuring that doctrine is not only intellectually embraced but also effectively manifested in how we engage with the world. 

Shaping Our Vision: More Than Doctrine or Expression  

Theological vision isn't simply about our doctrinal beliefs or the method of our ministry; it is something far deeper and nuanced. Imagine a prism transforming white light into a spectrum of colours. What takes place inside this prism is theological vision: mysterious and intricate. Doctrine, or our core theological beliefs, represents the light going into the prism. Ministry expression, from worship styles to community engagement, represents the output, the colours we project onto the world. The process inside the prism—how our beliefs translate into action—is the critical element.  

One essential task in developing a theological vision is acknowledging our influences. For instance, take a hypothetical scenario where you receive $100 million to spend with no strings attached. Every individual might spend that money differently based on personal experiences and the value they assign to wealth, shaped by their cultural, economic, and familial backgrounds. This exercise illustrates how our unique contexts influence the decisions we make, even when shared with similar doctrinal understandings. Likewise, theologically, spiritual and cultural influences shape how we practice our faith.  

Identifying Our Invisible Influences  

Timothy Keller aptly points out that while Christian leaders carefully craft their doctrinal beliefs, they often overlook the formation of their theological vision. Many simply adopt practices from admired ministries without critiquing the underlying presuppositions. To develop a robust theological vision, we must identify and scrutinise both positive and negative influences that shape our perspective. Influences as wide-ranging as our interpretations of Scripture, church traditions, societal norms, and unspoken intuitions contribute to how we engage in ministry.  

Reflect on the influences that have profoundly affected your ministry decisions. Consider your background, theological training, cultural environment, and personal experiences. Are there voices that guide your interpretations unconsciously? Each of these factors combines to create a unique yet untested theological vision. As Ephesians 4:14 (ESV) warns, we ought not "be tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine" but instead must ground our vision firmly in the gospel.  

The Risk of a Static Vision  

A failure to evolve our theological vision can lead to missional ineffectiveness. Many churches begin strong but falter because their methods, while initially effective, became relics in a changing cultural landscape. A static vision risks disconnecting from the concerns and cultures of those we’re called to reach. Developing a clear, dynamic theological vision—one that grows as our cultural context changes—is crucial, allowing for a ministry that remains relevant and transformative.  

Consider Romans 12:2 (ESV), where Christians are encouraged to "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." This scripture underscores the need for an active engagement with our context, shaping our vision while being shaped by the Word.  

As communities evolve, so should the expressions of our faith. We must avoid the trap of copying successful models without adaptation. Understanding the gospel's interplay with our unique environment equips us to address real needs meaningfully, from deciding which songs to sing in worship to designing outreach programs that resonate with our neighbours. 

Crafting a Gospel-Grounded Vision  

Ultimately, crafting a theological vision grounded in the gospel is not a solitary endeavour but a communal one. It requires dialogue and reflection within our faith communities to discern God’s call collectively. What elements of our ministry echo past influences instead of fresh insights from the Holy Spirit? How does our church’s choice of worship music, preaching style, or community mission reflect a gospel-centred vision, and how does it need to adapt?  

Through vulnerability in sharing personal journeys, leaders can inspire others to engage deeply in this transformative process. Each step—recognising biases, seeking diverse perspectives, and allowing Scripture to challenge cultural norms—moves us closer to a vision truly shaped by Christ's teachings.  

A Call to Conscious Vision  

The questions guiding us centre around conforming not to the patterns of this world but to the transformative power of the gospel. In doing so, we ensure that everything from our ministry practices to personal interactions aligns with the kingdom values Jesus exemplified. We look to Christ as the lens through which all is interpreted and understood as Colossians 3:2 (ESV) reminds us to "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."  

In pursuing a theologically sound vision, churches align themselves with their divine mission: to reveal the rainbow of God’s wisdom and love to a world in need of his light and truth. By examining our "glasses"—the influences shaping our perception—we become better equipped to authentically express God’s love and faithfully proclaim his eternal gospel.

Story: In Japan, we have often adopted approaches based on the methods and success stories of overseas ministries. Even in the denomination I was previously involved with, they tried to apply the circumstances and experiences of churches that had succeeded in a certain country to Japan as it was. Some of these values and cultures were based on the Bible, while others were not, but what I thought was dangerous was that church culture and ministry formation were being carried out by taking these things as being biblical.In other words, we didn't have the skills to review these things from a biblical perspective and determine whether they were healthy or contextual for the culture. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that we had the filter of biblical values, but we weren't using it. I realized that if I just accepted the traditions of my church and what I had been taught at Bible school without considering the context and situation I was in, I was not applying the lens of the gospel, or in other words, God's wisdom and perspective.I myself thought that the gospel was not something that served a particular function, but was simply something that was necessary for the initial stage of salvation, and so I was not using the gospel as a lens, filter or wisdom to judge everything. I have also heard that many pastors in Japan are tired of studying foreign methodologies and are fed up with the fact that they don't work. However, I have also heard that they don't know what else to do. I think that we Japanese people and those who are doing missionary work in Japan need to start using the gospel ourselves.

CTCJ Collaborative Writing Team

In 2025, CTCJ set out a new vision to become a thought leader in the field of urban church planting in Japan. The Collaborative Writing Team (Co-writing Team) is one of the ways we are working towards this goal. The team is made up of a core group of staff members, as well as a number of writers and editors from diverse backgrounds, who work together to produce articles on topics that are useful for church planters, with the gospel as the foundation and focus.