categories: vision
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Leading with Chazown 2 (of 4)
Do You Have a Vision?
Many churches (and organizations) have a vision statement. But in reality, they have no vision.
You might have an idea, but that doesn’t mean it’s a God-inspired idea. There’s a huge difference between a good idea and a God idea.
Without a vision, people become comfortable with the status quo. Later they grow to love the status quo. Eventually, they’ll give their best to protect what is (never dreaming about what could or what should be).
When there is no vision:
- Most ideas seem like good ideas…
…leading to over-programming and burnout.
- There’s nothing compelling to give toward…
…leading to a consumer mindset, rather than a contributing mindset.
- Organizations become inward-focused…
…leading to a slow, painful death.
Visit 
I agree wholeheartedly!
And those organizations that are successful have team members that believe they can achieve the vision–no matter how impossible it may seem.
Craig, keep shooting for the stars!
Craig,
You’re exactly right about the giving. I was once a part of the church where the numbers were growing, but the giving was not. That definitely tells you something about the direction the church was going.
Here are a few questions I have:
-You have a ‘commitment’ time in December for your people to commit to Lifechurch for another year…do you ever revisit the vision of the church publically on Sunday’s, or is that all done in classes & teachings?
-What have you found is the best way to get people to give towards a specific goal? New campus, etc. Do you just stand rawly before them and talk, use video…?
Thanks man. Have a great rest of the day.
Thanks, Mike.
Jeremy, I try to revisit the vision often. Most people in the church wouldn’t even recognize it. For example, two weeks ago I showed a video where I counted slowly: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7… and then the video started speeding up until I got to 322. Then I explained that is how many people came to Christ the weekend before. That is a creative way of sharing vision. This last weekend I showed a very short clip of my family serving on a mission experience and reminded our church that we don’t “do mission trips,” we ARE missionaries. We’re creating direction and hopefully passion with our words.
I was once the equivalent of a vice president for an organization involving the Boy Scouts of America. When the other officers and I were preparing to take office we decided to do an experiment. We had two meetings with the old set of officers and committee chairman before we took office and then two meeting with us as officers and the new committee chairman.
At our first meeting (with the old committee chairman) we polled to see how popular our mission, vision, and goals were. They were overwhelmingly popular. The committee chairman felt the organization was moving in the right direction and that was mostly due to the vision set by the leaders in the organization.
At the second meeting (still with the old committee chairman) we did a second poll, more of a questioner format, which simply asked three things. What is our mission, vision, and goals for this past year? Over 75% did not know at all and the other 25% responded with only what we could interpret as guesses.
This is timely stuff. So when someone finds themselves or others in the midst of those situations you’ve mentioned, how do we get out and pull them out of it, and especially when you’re not the ‘leader’?
Brandon,
Pray, pray, pray…wait, listen, pray some more, be consistent with your own personal vision and dreams, your character (but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.), listen, pray, submit humbly, pray pray pray. Listen. If needed, occassionally lock yourself in the car and scream. Sometimes I eat chocolate. That just might be a girl thing though.
Then listen, pray, wait, pray…(I’m still figuring this out)…
Mike, Very interesting observation.
Anne, Thanks for helping with Brandon’s question (especially the “lock yourself in the car and scream” part).
I’d be interested to hearing more of you jump in and give Brandon some wisdom. Thanks!
Jeremy,
As a former member of LifeChurch.tv what stuck with me was how the vision was presented. It was first of all honest and constant. Craig would openly talk about giving toward campus devolpment often, recounting for us how many people accepted Christ, and never missed an opportunity to celebrate with us what God had done. The key here, for me at least, what that I always felt I was part of something big; that all the resources that we as a church gave were going to something special: changed lives.
No doubt others have their own reasons, but that one was key.
Brandon
Brandon, Call Tony Soprano & his crew to take out the leader?
Kidding, Brandon I would suggest sitting down with leader and asking him to share his vision with you. You may surprised to find that he wants things to change but is feeling overwhelmed or under supported. If you come along side him and say “how can I help make you vision a reality” the leader may pass out in shock, fall to his knees and thank God for answering his prayers, or tell you straight out how you can help. Or you may find that you can support the vision of the leader and then it may be time to find a new church to be a part of.
But these are just the ravings of a small church pastor from the northeast, long winters can make you a little crazy….am I rambling again?
Oh and definitely take Anne’s advice, the chocolate, locked in a car screaming, but especially the praying! I have to believe that most leaders want to do a great work for God, I am on the other side of the coin as the leader trying to advance a vision and feeling alone in the pursuit so when people come and say “tell me your dream” and follow it up with “how can I help” I feel like God is at work and it gives me the faith to carry on.
But these are just my suggestions. I’ll pray God give you some wisdom Brandon.
So glad you are talking about vision this week. Loved the book and resonate with all you are saying. Until recently I haven’t been able to articulate and communicate our vision. Ironically, this past weekend in during worship I felt led to spend the week focusing on God’s vision for Catalyst France in my blog. It has forced me to not only think about the vision but to effectively communicate it. Thanks for sharing what God has taught you.
Vision is about building God’s Kingdom. Our Vision must then be more than just one to reach our community (and be a “lighthouse for our city” which tends to be the “mission” statement of so many struggling churches) and must incorporate elements to reach beyond our community. Whether that be to plant new churches, start new satellite locations, or whatever, the vision that stretches people to be apart of building God’s Kingdom everywhere will be the vision that will gather the greatest following and support.
How do you know when God wants you to change the direction, focus or pace of the Chazown?
Hey Jimmy-
Here are a few things that have helped me understand when God is changing the direction or pace of my Chazown.
God almost always gives you a “holy discontent” and begins to stir something deep inside of you that cannot be ignored when he is trying to get your attention. Another indicator can be resources. God will often use financial resources, ministry resources, or even personnel resources to send specific messages if you will listen closely. The question then becomes, “How do I know when its God or simply ‘me’ wanting a change?” I rely on three specific things.
1. His Word. There is no substitute for being engulfed in his Word. This is because he will sometimes ask you to do stuff that other people will not understand. When he does, you have to be anchored in his Word.
2. Godly counsel. This is why its so important to have a great accountability partner. Not just in name, but someone who knows the dirty little secrets. They can help put your new “stirrings” into context with your personality and weaknesses.
3. Authority. Who is the spiritual authority that God has placed over you. Go to that person and seek wisdom with your new stirrings and see what wisdom God has given them concerning you.
This isnt a fool proof formula but it’s helped me a few times on my journey.
Jimmy asked a good question. Todd, thanks for the great advice. Any others want to jump in and offer Jimmy more wisdom?
jimmy, in addition to todd’s thoughts…
this probably won’t sound super-spiritual or anything but one of the best pieces of advice i’ve received during transitionary periods is this:
explore.
you don’t have to “be spiritual” about it, per se, as you already have the Holy spirit there as a guide…it is just tuning in, walking in that and having courage that your path will be made straight. you just have to step into it…
easier said than done, I understand…
Thank you Craig. I’ll write more soon.
You should never order seafood at a hamburger joint in Nebraska.
You should never order seafood at a hamburger joint in Nebraska.
Chad, age 11
Stick to what you are good at.
If this isn’t the best advice I don’t know what is. I lived in the Midwest for the first 11 years of my life. I know …
It is so refreshing to have a place that is so motivated….having been isolated from the mainstream church (our church is in a women’s prison) I have grown so much and learned so much over the last 14 years….When I was waiting for what the Lord’s vision for me was, I just reached out where i was and He kept correcting my course, I had no idea where I would ultimately be. But every day of waiting and preparation made the current ministry more solid and able to stand through the warfare…..God has been so faithful….teaching 1st and 6th graders Sunday School was the cornerstone and taught me to learn patience with perserverance…never give up the vision. Bless you all