categories: vision
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Leading with Chazown 3 (of 4)
The Benefits of Vision
Last year I visited Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL to speak at their Leadership Forum. (I’ll be there again in March 2008.)
In just a few years, the President, Dr. Mark Rutland, has turned this university around. As recently as ten years ago, this school was struggling to stay alive. Now it’s thriving. Why?
God is at work through a leader with a vision!
- When I talked to the school’s leaders, I heard the vision.
- When I talked to the students, I heard the same vision.
- Not only did I hear the vision explained, but I saw it lived in a compelling way.
Every person I talked with (more than 20 people) spoke with pride and passion about what God was doing at their school and what was to come.
When an organization has VISION…
- people will give sacrificially (both financially and of themselves).
- people will tolerate inconveniences for the greater cause.
- people will talk. You can’t put a price tag on positive buzz.
- the organization (or ministry) takes on a life of its own.
- the options of distraction decrease.
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Hi Craig,
I’m really enjoying these posts on vision. Love the way you communicate what God has put into your heart.
I love what Mark Rutland has done at Southeastern. He is a tremendous man of God.
I think sometimes leaders try and communicate vision with marshmallows in their mouth — people leave going, what in the heck was he trying to say?
Churches and organizations with all of the attributes above, where people are talking about it, and know what it is have a GREAT leader.
Awesome series, Craig.
[...] Today’s post is also based on Southeastern. Groeschel talks about the growth of the school under the vision and leadership of Dr. Rutland. Check it out here. Groeschel, Rutland, Southeastern [...]
Hi Craig!
I’m in total agreement with this entry and all of them before. But I see alot of struggle in this too. I attend a smaller church of about 250, and I see people just sitting there, they have been sitting there for years.
Our pastor, an amazing man and his team are incredible and they constantly talk about our vision and do “whatever it takes”, but people are still sitting there. I tried to recruit a volunteer just last Sunday, “not me” “you guys get paid to do what you do”, I get paid? I’m excited about my church because I get paid?
What does it take Craig? What does it take for someone to know that vision is NOT always a business? Why can’t people see it’s not just for people who are all together? or have their lives together?
The vision is electrifying and complete.
What does it take for them to know the vision is for them and not for the church?
Can you all give Heidi some help? She’s asked an important question. (Heidi, I’ll offer some thoughts later in the day.) Thank you in advance for offering Heidi some wisdom!
Craig,
Are you following me or something!? It seems like everything you have brought up in the last month has been right where Im at and exactly what I am wrestling with!
Thank you for your leadership!
Heidi,
For a smaller church, what I have learned is that you have to share vision from the pulpit(which is being done), but you have GOT to share it one on one with the people who just sit. I may have other thoughts later, but thats what first comes to mind.
Craig,
Amazing series of posts. I have been challenged big time. As a support staff(children’s pastor)where would you draw the line of departmental vision vs. church vision.
Heidi,
As you are not the senior pastor your options are somewhat limited. Many people who have been in church a long time feel church is the place for their needs to be met.
I would encourage you to do as much as you can to reach out to your community. Try to make everything you do excellent and do everything in your power to “lead up” to exhort in a respectful way your pastor to begin to do things to draw in new people (change the water in the tank, if you will) who are passionate about serving and reaching others.
sam
Heidi,
I have to disagree with Sam, you have just as much opportunity too invoke change as the senior pastor does. Lead by example. Get out there do it. Find others who agree and make them lead by example too. If you make a strong enough presence people will start to follow.
Craig,
I think Tom McDaniel at OCU is another example of great vision. OCU was s struggling university until President McDaniel’s vision changed it all. His best vision was get the other right people with vision there and that changed everything.
If people are just sitting maybe they have their wants confused with their needs. I dunno, take the chairs away.
I was so glad to read this post. I graduated from Southeastern “pre-Dr. Rutland” (I’ll choose to withhold the actual year!), and I had grave concerns about my alma mater when I left. I’ve been out of touch with Southeastern for some time now. I knew they had been growing, and I am encouraged knowing now that the growth is solid and is based on a newly instituted leadership (through Dr. Rutland) that you have been describing in this series.
Mike, I am in agreement with you.
I’m ALL about everyone doing their part. It totally bugs me when people sit, I like Jimmy’s idea of pulling the chairs.
I think and its totally my opinion soley that “people” generally think that it’s the pastor’s or leaders like I am to be totally responsible to “MOVE” the vision, my belief is to get totally “CAUGHT” up in the vision and spread God’s message, but it takes all of us.. But maybe I am wrong?
Brett, Yes, I’m stalking you! :) Glad the posts are helping.
Sam, I think department vision must “fall under” and be consistent with the church vision, but you should have some latitude to develop the vision for your area.
Mike, I agree that Tom is doing a great job!
Jimmy, Funny thought. :)
Chris, Glad to see your school turning around. I was so impressed with the heart of the students.
Heidi, To paraphrase your question, you asked what does it take to turn vision into action…
I’m not an expert, but I know it takes, TIME, CONSISTENCY, PASSION, PRAYER, AND PERSISTENCE. The longer a group of people have been complacent, the harder it is to get them to move.
May God empower you and all your leadership to inspire the people live boldly for Christ and others.
Heidi (nice to see you here!) :)
I was reading something today about how passion is contagious…if you can find one person who will be on board and get them fired up, it continue to spread. Over time, either these people are going to latch on to that vision too, or they’re going to become so irrirated they’ll leave. That sounds harsh, but sometimes what is THE thing for one person or one group, isn’t THE thing for others and hopefully they’ll move on to the dreams God has for them rather than attempt to suffocate the dreams God has for you and your team.
And, if the latter happens (which I am praying right now it doesn’t) just remember a few verses if times get discouraging, and that God will never let a work He began go incomplete!
-1 John 4:4
-Galatians 6:9