Charting the Course
Once a pastor has helped the church define who it is and has established a relationship of trust (see last article), he is ready to cast a vision. Proverbs 29:18 states, "Where there is no vision, the people cast of restraint." Leadership magazine says, "Every great work and every great person has come under the influence of a vision that changed them, and therefore, changes others."
How important is vision? I remember George Bush lost his bid to be re-elected as our President, in 1992, because he could not get a handle on "this vision thing".
What is vision? I have come across as many definitions as I have books on the subject. Perhaps it's similar to what Duke Ellington once said about rhythm..."If you got it, you don't need no definition; if you ain't got it, ain't no definition going to help." I don't believe, however, that vision is physically seeing into the future. The best definition I can share with you is that vision is. a deep impression on the heart, an invitation to get involved in what God is doing.
What is the value of vision?
Vision gives you direction - In a recent survey among pastors of growing churches, 72% indicated the ability to cast vision as their primary strength. Their vision was most often not specific, but general in nature. For example, at First Baptist Oviedo...
Vision gives you passion - I recall our minister of Education stating that "I no longer have the vision, the vision has me." Vision gives you something to live for that is greater than yourself.
Vision gives us faith - If I know my vision is from God, I am going to believe God
even in the dark times.
How do we get a vision from God? This is one of the questions I am most often asked. George Barna has stated that 98% of pastors have never articulated a vision to their church. First, we must get our vision from God, and not our eyes. Most visions, it seems, place the pastor in a state of exalted greatness. It seems many are racing to see who can be the first pastor on a box of Wheaties! Second, realize there are no set formulas to hear from God. He deals with us all on an individual basis. Here, however, are a few things that have helped me focus on His will:
How important is vision? I remember George Bush lost his bid to be re-elected as our President, in 1992, because he could not get a handle on "this vision thing".
What is vision? I have come across as many definitions as I have books on the subject. Perhaps it's similar to what Duke Ellington once said about rhythm..."If you got it, you don't need no definition; if you ain't got it, ain't no definition going to help." I don't believe, however, that vision is physically seeing into the future. The best definition I can share with you is that vision is. a deep impression on the heart, an invitation to get involved in what God is doing.
What is the value of vision?
Vision gives you direction - In a recent survey among pastors of growing churches, 72% indicated the ability to cast vision as their primary strength. Their vision was most often not specific, but general in nature. For example, at First Baptist Oviedo...
- Our slogan is: "The Caring Place" (who we are)
- Our mission is: To lead people to Jesus Christ and teach them to glorify God in
- their lives (what we do)
- Our vision is: To impact the world for Christ that we can one day claim "The sun never sets on the ministry of the First Baptist Church of Oviedo" (where we are going)
Vision gives you passion - I recall our minister of Education stating that "I no longer have the vision, the vision has me." Vision gives you something to live for that is greater than yourself.
Vision gives us faith - If I know my vision is from God, I am going to believe God
even in the dark times.
How do we get a vision from God? This is one of the questions I am most often asked. George Barna has stated that 98% of pastors have never articulated a vision to their church. First, we must get our vision from God, and not our eyes. Most visions, it seems, place the pastor in a state of exalted greatness. It seems many are racing to see who can be the first pastor on a box of Wheaties! Second, realize there are no set formulas to hear from God. He deals with us all on an individual basis. Here, however, are a few things that have helped me focus on His will:
- Prepare for it. - Develop your relationship with God to the point where you recognize when He is speaking to your heart.
- Look for it. - Look within you... how God created you. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Look around you. What is God doing? What are the needs, the opportunities? Your vision is the answer to the challenges that face you and your church.
- Pray for it. - Significance has its price. I have learned that you must be willing to pay for the vision even before God speaks. It may be time, sometimes it's money, or it could be simply the courage to act.
- Cast it. - How? (to be continued) Until next time..
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