Introduction

The Church today desperate needs a clear understanding of God’s purpose for each individual congregation.

Also, today both Pastors and lay leaders are more aware than ever of the importance of vision for ministry.

Rudiments

Main Idea

God has called you to a specific ministry, and God wants to impart ideas of what that ministry should be.

God’s vision is about maximizingyour God-given potential to bless God and others through Christian ministry.

Our General Mission

0Every church has basically the same general mission: to help people fulfill the Great Commission (Mt. 28.16-20) and the Great Commandment (Mt. 22.34-40) through diverse ministries.

Beyond a Statement

However, affirming the general mission of the church is not enough. A Church needs a specific mission.

Furthermore, posting a two-line mission statement in the weekly program is not enough to revitalize a congregation.

Suite

Ignoring God’s best ideas for a our ministries is both an act of disobedience (by rejecting God’s will) and an act of strategic ineptitude (by ignoring untapped opportunities).

Definition

Vision for ministry is a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God.

It is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self and circumstances.

A Reason to Live

0Vision, then, provides a bold reason for living. It is a badge of purpose that the bearer wears proudly and courageously.

0God’s Vision is always inspiring.

Our Objective

0Our objective is not to acquiesce to a preordained future but to shape the future.

0The vision is the means to define the parameters within which the future will emerge.

Statement & Slogan

0Your mission should be described in, at least, two ways. First, in an easy to memorize sentence (around 12 words).

0Second, in a slogan that captures the essence of the larger statement. Vision is specific, detailed, customized, distinctive and unique to a given church.

A Philosophic Statement

0Your mission is essentially a philosophic statement that undergirds the heart of your ministry.

0Therefore, a Church should also produce a larger document explaining the biblical and theological foundations of the mission statement.

Vision & Strategic Planning

0Vision is the centerpiece of strategy. Strategy is the means to effective church development.

0Effective development of the church is the means to transform the world with the message of the Gospel.

The Future

0The future belongs to visionary leaders.

0It is the power of God working through churches led by visionaries leaders that causes that image of the future to become a reality.

Not a Done Deal

0Realize that the future is not something that just happens; it is a reality that is shaped by those strong enough to exert control over their environment.

0The future is not a done deal waiting for a response. The future belongs to God and to visionary pastors driven to shape it.

Visionary pastors

0Visionary pastors are leaders who have surrendered their personal ambition.

0Their tendency of self-promotion has been replaced by an urgent need to seek God’s will. Vision is not an exercise in promoting yourself, your dreams or your needs.

Leading Without Vision

Many senior pastors do not have an understanding of God’s vision for the ministries they are trying to lead.

Consequently, their congregations have little impact in their communities or in the lives of their congregants.

Clear communication

0The vision is meant to be shared. That can only happen when it is clear and available.

0Organizations that have efficient, clear, reliable means of communication tend to be successful.

0Those who have under-developed, imprecise or otherwise restricted lines of communication are more likely to experience stagnation or decline.

Vision & Preaching

0The vision of a given Church can be communicated through the regular preaching and teaching program.

0Therefore, the contents of your sermons should reflect the substance of your vision.

A Standard

0The vision is also disseminated more deeply when is not simply a statement of a desired outcome but is integrated into the ministry as a standard to be met. For instance, one means of integration would be to use it as the basis for measuring or evaluating the success of your programs.

How to evaluate

0When evaluating your congregation, refer to your vision & your strategic goals.

0 Do not use numbers & statistics as the yardstick of success.

The End

0This lecture is, in part, based on the book by George Barna, titled THE POWER OF VISION, which we enthusiastically recommend.