“God hates visionary dreaming; it makes the dreamer proud and pretentious. The man who fashions a visionary ideal of community demands that it be realized by God, by others, and by himself. He enters the community of Christians with his demands, sets up his own law, and judges the brethren and God Himself accordingly. He enters the community of Christians with his demands, sets up his own law, and judges the brethren and God Himself accordingly. He stands adamant, a living reproach to all others in the circle of brethren.”
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
Link to “God Hates Visionary Dreaming”
Recently our church announced an ambitious plan to acquire a nearby warehouse and turn it into a multi-use Healing Center. The center of their efforts is increased outreach to the people needing food and furnishings. Part of me lauds their effort and their ambition to expand their outreach to the local community. Part of me worries about the path and the consequences of visionary dreaming. When does visionary dreaming become another word to describe just another bureaucratic institution?