Reaching the Vision

Once the Pastor has cast the vision, there must be a strategy to reach that vision. In Nehemiah 2, Nehemiah cast the vision and rallied the people to rebuild the wall. Afterwards, however, he had to organize the troops to accomplish the task.

The first step is to establish objectives under your stated vision. These can be broad or unending tasks you want to be accomplishing until Jesus comes. One of the primary objectives we have recently adopted is...that everyone within a seven-mile radius of First Baptist Oviedo will have the opportunity to hear the gospel from the ministry of our church.

Next, specific goals need to be stated, based upon your objectives. Each goal needs to be specific, measurable and have a deadline. For example, for the above stated evangelism objective, we have a goal that every Sunday School class will have a F.A.I.T.H. team involved in evangelism by this fall. Another goal, under this objective, is to begin a Broadcast Ministry on television and the internet, by August 18. Both of these goals are specific, measurable, and have a deadline.

After the goals are stated, each goal needs a set of action plans or procedural steps. "How" are you going to accomplish the goal? We began planning for the Broadcast Ministry a few years ago.

First, we voted as a church to pursue it. Next, we purchased the necessary equipment, as the opportunities presented themselves. Recently, we called a young man to lead the ministry.

Other steps included:

• Begin taping sermons for practice and backlog – by April 1, 2002
• Name the ministry – by June 3, 2002
• Tape the lead into the program – by July 1, 2002
• Secure our television time slot – by July 15, 2002
• Begin broadcasting – by August 18, 2002

Then we must anticipate problems. As Nehemiah was asking the king's permission to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah 2:7 says, "And I said to the king, 'If it please the king, let letters be given me for the governors of the provinces beyond the River, that they may allow me to pass through until I come to Judah.’” He anticipated problems. Do we really think Satan is going to lie down or sleep while we do God's work? No one ever accomplished anything without spiritual warfare.

Nehemiah 4 states that Sanballat mocked the Jews. He constantly gave them problems to keep them from rebuilding the wall. The Bible says, "A sensible man watches for problems ahead, and prepares to meet them..." (Proverbs 27:12).

As you are anticipating the problems and working through the procedure, delegate as much work as possible. In delegating, you are freeing yourself to do only the tasks that no one else can do but you. You are also involving others in an important ministry. Together we can accomplish more for the kingdom. One of the reasons most churches are under 100 in attendance is that at 100, the pastor must delegate tasks to others - many would rather do it themselves. As you delegate, the task must be done (accountability), must be done right (excellence, not necessarily just the way you want it), and must be done with encouragement from the leader.

When the goal is met, give the glory to God. The mark of spiritual maturity is when you recognize God is at work and give Him the glory. Until next time..