Why Vision Fades How Each Generation Must Keep It Alive

8/9/2019 Why Vision Fades How Each Generation Must Keep It Alive

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Why Vision Fades, and

How Each Generation Must Keep it Aliveby Dallas Willard

July 2002

Dallas Willard spoke at the Servant Leadership School in Washington DC In conversation over lunch one day,

Gordon Cosby of the Servant Leadership School at Church of the Savior in Washington D.C. asked Dallas, "Why do

churches and ministries so often lose the essence of their founding vision, to the point that the institution, years

later, is quite unlike the original dream?" This essay is Dallas' response to the question of why vision fades.Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.

Whoever serves me, the Father will honor." John 12:26

A CERTAIN SOMETHINGIf you go to the town of Assisi, you can find many people eager to talk about St. Francis of Assisi. You will

find many monuments to him, and also find many businesses thriving by selling memorabilia of him. But

you will notfind anyone who actually carries the same spiritual fire and vision that St. Francis possessed.

No doubt there are many fine folks living in Assisi, but they do not possess the character of Francis, nor do

they practice the deeds of Francis, nor do they have his impact on society.

What is true in this case is not unique. Rather, it is just another obvious illustration of the general

tendency of human life and of the spiritual life. Vision fades. It also always happen in the world of

business, government, education, and the arts: First, a person of great vision, ability, and inspiration

emerges, and rises far above his or her origins and surroundings. Perhaps it is a King David, or a Socrates,

a St. Anthony or St. Francis, a Martin Luther or a George Fox or a John Wesley. In each of these leaders

there is a ... well, a certain 'something'.

These leaders really are different,and that difference explains why they have such great effect, and why

movements and institutions always grow up around them. It is as if they stand in another world, and from

there they have extraordinary impact on this world as God acts in them and with them. Organization oftheir vision takes place through, and sometimes other organizations spin off from them as talented

individuals are drawn to them and make their lives in their wake. But these other individuals - usually very

well-intending still do not carry the "fire,"or "certain something,"within them as the founder did.

Over time a subtle divergence from the vision that gripped the founder begins to take place, and before

long,the institution has become the vision.

This happens in secular organizations as well. Arthur Anderson was a man of rock-solid integrity, with a

crystal-clear vision of accounting as a profession. He built a magnificent accounting firm on strong moral

principles. But eventually the people who ran the firm became obsessed with their positions in a noted

firm and personal success instead of focusing on serving their clients and personal responsibility. These

people acted in the good name of Arthur Anderson, but did not share his original vision for the

company. As you know, it brought disaster upon themselves and upon thousands of unsuspecting people

who depended on the Arthur Anderson firm. Had the same vision and moral fire burned in them that

burned in Arthur Anderson, the firms demise would have never happened. But the false fires of

ambition, personal rights, and greed burned in its place. Success laid its egg in the nest of public service

and a monster was hatched that destroyed the nest and all in it.

NOTHING FAILS LIKE SUCCESS


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St. Francis and Arthur Anderson are just two of the more notorious illustrations of this hard reality: In

most cases, when the original vision is allowed to die out, the associated institutions and staff carry on for

a while, but they increasingly become more concerned with survival than service. Consider the example

of the great evangelist Charles Finney and Oberlin college, which he founded, or any number of other

originally Christian colleges and universities. Few have stayed true to the original fire God placed in the

heart of an individual.

While this process is not restricted to religious movements, it is especially obvious and painful to behold

in churches and ministries. There is real truth behind the saying that in spiritual matters nothing fails like

success. Movements of God touch the human heart at the deepest level and serve profound human

needs. Because of this, they quickly attract many who love the light and warmth and success of the

founders original vision but they have no real interest in possessing the fire and vision of the founder. In

fact, they do not really understand it and want to substitute a less demanding vision. Eventually, however,

and without consciously intending to do so, they extinguish the very fire that provided the light and

warmth, or they allow it to die out by not carefully tending it. An organization may continue existing

under the same name, trading in memorabilia. But it isn't the same operation on the inside, and its impact

on the outside is definitely not the same.

Thus 'apostasy' (falling away from) is in fact a fairly normal process of life. It is what we should expect to

happen, not something to be surprised about. It is remarkable and abnormal if it does not happen. This

apostasy is never, primarily, a failure of belief or doctrine, or even a conscious decision. Rather It is a

subtle shifting of the vision, of priorities and of the founding leaders willingness to sacrifice. People began

to feel differently about themselves, their work, and their commitment to the vision. The shifts in attitude

and behavior lie at the surface of organizational life but the center lies miles deep in the heart and soul of

the individuals involved.

Occasionally a sudden soulquake happens in the life of the leader, as in the cases of biblical kings such

as Saul, Amaziah and Uzziah. Far more often, the fading of vision happens in the passing of the baton to

a new generation. This degeneration of vision is clearly seen from King David to his son Solomon, to

Solomons son, Rehoboam.

It is often pointed out thatfew ministers finish well. But it is even more true of ministries than it is ofindividual ministers. Every denomination vividly illustrates the process, as do most educational and

charitable organizations.

UNDERMINING THE VISION OF GODWhat is the underlying change that causes a ministrys loss ofthe inward fire of vision? Henri Nouwen

noted: Nothing conflicts with the love of Christ like service to Christ. This may be an overstatement but

certainly it is true that successful service to God has a strong tendency to undermine a vision of God that

fuels a passion for God. With the possible exception of David, who indeed "ended well," we see it

constantly in the kings of Judah and Israel.

King Uzziah's case is especially instructive: "But when he became strong, his heart was so lifted up that he

acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God.(1 Chron. 26:16) Uzziah became a strongleader because of his deep devotion to the Lord. For most of his life he focused on knowing God in a close

relationship. "He did right in the sight of the Lord.... And he continued to seek God in the days of

Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God

prospered him." (1 Chron. 26:4-5)

But the works that were accomplished through Uzziah's personal devotion to God distracted him from his

vision of God. "His heart was lifted up."This language of the Bible became the standard way of diagnosing

the failure of the kings of Judah and Israel. In Uzziah's case he decided to perform temple rituals which


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were not permitted to him. But in most other cases, the downfall occurred when kingsformed human

alliances or established practices that relied only on human strength. They glorified themselves by nott

relying upon God.

Because of a distracted focus, they could not live in the lesson of the prophet Jahaziel: "Do not fear or be

dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.... You need not fight in this

battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.... Do not fear or bedismayed...for the Lord is with you."(II Chron. 20:15-17)

What, then, is the general pattern of vision drift? First, intense devotion to God by the founders brings

substantial outward success. Then that outward success yields a sense of accomplishment that attracts

others. The founders usually still sense the responsibility to be good stewards of what has been achieved

and to use it for further achievement. But for those who join in, the temptation is to misunderstand the

personal qualities that caused the success and to reorient vision away from God has done to what 'we are

doing. The ministry work itself increasingly becomes the vision. We focus on what we are doing, or must

get done, rather than focusing on loving God. Grinding out the ministry, while forgetting the vision,

occupied our thoughts, feelings and strength.

This is the point at which service to Christ replaces love for Christ. Our inward love for God, and

absorption in what he is doing, is no longer the center of the life. "No time for that" becomes the

governing attitude. The fire of God in the human soul always seems unimportant to those who like its

effects but do not understand where the success comes from.

DEMANDING OUR RIGHTSAt this point apervasive consciousness of one's rights and "perks" sets in. Amaziah, who had been a fairly

good king in Judah, defeated the Edomites but then brought their gods to Jerusalem and worshipped

them! When rebuked by a prophet he was offended that one should challenge him: "Have we appointed

you a royal counselor? Stop! Why should you be struck down?" (2 Chron. 25:16)

Usually it is not the founders, but those who gather about them, who insist on perks and rights, both for

the founders, and for themselves. Often they see it as a way of honoring the leaders they admire. When

David became thirsty on the battlefield and made an off-hand remark about wanting a drink from thewell of Bethlehem, three of his "mighty men" overheard his remark and broke through enemy lines to

bring him the water. But David would not drink it. He "poured it out to the Lord," because their devotion

had made the gift too precious for him to drink. (2 Sam. 23:16) This is a most illuminating insight into the

good and humble heart of David, which can be seen on many other occasions in his life. David has a more

sober estimate of himself that those around him did, so he chose not to take advantage of his position.

St. Francis also provides many illustrations of this type of humility. But it proved too hard for those in his

Order to follow, and within a few years Francis was in a struggle with his own followers because the rule

he proposed was considered to lowly by his followers! They expected to be treated better and were

unwilling to sacrifice in the ways Francis had. Francis lost the battle with his own associates, even

becoming an object of sarcasm and criticism among some of his earliest associates. They turned on him

because they were unwilling to sacrifice for the vision the way he had.

As I have noted, such a departure from the founders vision is often accompanied by the excuse that he

or she was an extraordinary leader - not "normal - when in fact it was the founders acute awareness of

their own normalcy, that led them to adopt measures that kept themselves centered on God! They

established personal disciplines that kept Gods vision right and bright. Unlike those who followed, they

understood the daily intensity of the inward battle that must be fought constantly. Followers are always

tempted to use their leaders uniqueness as a reason to excuse themselves from the burden of being as

committed.


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HUMILITY AND ASPIRATIONSo this is process by which the work of ministry replaces the original vision of God as the ultimate point of

reference for involvement: A true vision of God, along with a true vision of oneself in God inspires a

combination of both humility and great ambition for God. This powerful combination leads to

remarkable results as we live in dependence upon God. Great effects are achieved because God supportsthose who are complete dependent upon him and serve him for his sake. Then the effects take on a life

of their own. Surrounding people see nothing but the remarkable effects which are indeed worthy of

support. This human support may also be of God. But the effects must be carefully evaluated to prevent

them from corrupting the heart..

King Solomon began well. He knew about God from his father David, and he understood he could not

carry out his work by himself so he asked God for wisdom and knowledge. When God gave it to him.,

Solomon became very great. (2 Chron. 9) But then, to strengthen his position, he formed alliances

through marriage with royalty of many nations, and his seven hundred wives turned his heart away from

Jehovah to worship their gods. (I Kings 11:1-6) By the time he died, Solomons government had become

bitterly oppressive, the people were ready to rebel, and his son was a fool. It is not unreasonable to think

that it was a building program that turned Solomons heart.

CAN THE VISION BE SUSTAINED?Is the loss of the vision unavoidable? Does this have to happen? The answer is, in general, "No." Godly

leaders and godly followers manage to avoid it. Some organizations have postponed it for several

generations- but that is the exception.

o In the Old Testament,Joshua (Ex. 33:11) and Elisha (II Kings 2:9) were two cases where second-

generation disciples sought the Lord as much as their mentors (Moses and Elijah did. As a result, they

carried the same vision and spirit forward into the next generation and the miracles of faith continued.

o The early Christians hold the record for sustaining the inward fire of vision of the founding Apostles"

For three centuries, the vision of Jesus as Lord burned brightly in their hearts. The tremendous

successes of the early movement continued only slowing when persecution ended and being a Christian

became culturally acceptable.. The earliest generations of Christians were remarkably successful in

passing the sacred vision on to the next generation.

oIn later Christian history we find clear examples of a trans-generational passing of the original fire in

the Jesuits, the Quakers, the Moravian Brethren and the Methodists.No doubt there are many other

cases not so well known. So it can be done. And there are many cases of individuals in each generation

who have "finished well." What is essentially involved?

The answer is simple in concept, but difficult in execution -especially for trans-generational vision passing.

One cannot write a recipe for identifying and sustaining the original vision of God, of self and of the world

that animated the originators. It is a highly personal matter and is dependent upon Gods grace that is,

upon God doing in our lives what we cannot accomplish on our own.

WHAT EACH OF US MUST DOBut there are things any person can doand must doto receive and sustain the inner spiritual fire that

keeps mission and ministry in its proper place, and prevents the work from obsessing us, limiting us, and

eventually strangling us.


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1. First we must admit that the loss of vision over time is inevitable. This acknowledgement must explicit

and regular. One need not become paranoid about it, just honest. Find ways to keep the vision creatively

before oneself and one's associates.

2. Secondly, we must not just understand the founding vision- we must keep it clear and explicit in our

minds. This is not easy. Wise founders never impose their vision on others. While this attitude is

commendable, it makes it difficult to sustain the vision in the next generation The focus must be on theeternal vision, not the individuals to whom God gave it, even though God called them to carry it out.

3. Third, intentional step mustbe taken to live out the values and the vision. Proverbs 3:5-7 says "Trust

in the Lord with all your heart, and don't place your faith in your own understanding. Acknowledge God in

all you do, and he will smooth your pathway. Don't think you have got it figured out." And again: "Watch

over your heart with all diligence, for what is in your heart will determine what your life amounts to."

(4:23)

THE JOYFUL AIM OF LIFELoving God must be the joyful aim and center of our hearts. That is why Jesus stated that the first

commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your

mind, and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30) This is a command. It is something we are to do, and

something we can do it. We will learn how to do it if we intend to do it. God will help us, and we will find a

way.

The love of God, and only the love of God, secures the vision of God and keeps God constantly before our

mind. Thomas Watson tells us that "The first fruit of love is the musing of the mind upon God. He who is

in love has his thoughts ever upon the object. He who loves God is ravished and transported with the

contemplation of God.... God is the treasure, and where the treasure is, there is the heart." King David

gives us the secret of his life: "I have set the Lord continually before me; because he is at my right hand, I

will not be shaken." (Ps. 16:8)

A true vision of God secures humility. Seeing God for who he is enables us to see ourselves for who we

are. This makes us bold, for we see clearly what great good and evil are at issue, and we see that it is notup to us to accomplish it, but up to God who is more than able. We are delivered from pretending,

being presumptuous about ourselves, and from pushing as if the outcome depended on us. We persist

without frustration, and we practice calm and joyful non-compliance with evil of any kind.

God looks to those who are humble and contrite of spirit, and who tremble when he speaks. (Isa. 66:2) He

resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (I Peter 5:5) Remember, "grace" means that he is acting

in their lives.

So the humble are dependent upon God, not on themselves They humble themselves "under the mighty

hand of God."(I Peter 5:6) That is, by depending upon God to act. They abandon outcomes entirely to

him. They "cast all their anxieties upon him, because he cares for them." (vs. 7) The result is assurance

that the mission and the ministry will be accomplished, in God's time and in God's way.

We do the very best we know, we work hard, even self-sacrificially. But we do not carry the load, and our

ego is tied to the mission or ministry. In our love of Jesus and his Father, we abandon our life to him. Our

life is not an object of deep concern.

NEXT STEPSTo maintain a vision based on a life of loving abandonment to God, we must develop a plan that

incorporates the spiritual disciplines and practices that care for the inner life and grow godly values.


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These are the familiar disciplines for spiritual life. We cannot discuss these here, but the next step forward

for the person who has decided to love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, is to put in place

those regular practices that make it possible. This will take time, study, experimentation and guidance by

the Holy Spirit. But it can be done; and when it is done, life becomes incalculably easier, sweeter and

stronger. Mission and ministry are no longer burdensome, though they may be quite challenging and

strenuous. His yoke is, nonetheless, easy, and his burden is light, and there is rest in the soul. (Matt.

11:29:30)

For those who have known this in the past, the call is to return to the first love and do the first works. For

those who have never known it, the call is to focus on the love of God to us until our heart, soul, mind and

strength overflow with love in return. "We love him because he first loved us." (I John 4:19)

And for those who, standing in the love of God, are concerned about the next generation, the call is to

make these matters a subject of serious discussion and prayer with those who will lead into the future.

Talk openly, regularly, honestly and lovingly.

Eventually judgments must be made as to who in the next generation will be entrusted with the future of

the organization. These decisions cannot be avoided but they also cannot be made quickly. These must be

made lovingly, but firmly "under the mighty hand of God." What we can do is prepare for that day and

those choices by providing clear examples, intelligent, biblical teaching, prayerful discussion, and by

observing the words and actions of future leaders.

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Why Vision Fades How Each Generation Must Keep It Alive