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How vision drives success in the church 🎯
Why having a unified direction matters
Without a vision, the people perish. That’s not fearmongering—that’s a biblical quote. Many great writers and thinkers have spoken and written about the importance of vision.
It was Andy Stanley who wrote: “The clearer the vision, the fewer the options, the easier the decision,” in his book Visioneering. You can hardly crack open a self-help book nowadays without running into some version of “know your why.”
There is a reason for that, and the bible said it first: Where there is no vision, the people perish.
We need direction, a goal, and commitment to that direction to thrive as people. In this way, the church is no different. Determining what your church's goal and direction look like can make all the difference in how your congregation shows up.
That said, where do you start to choose a vision, and how?
Overcome the fear of inflexibility
It can be intimidating to choose a vision, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. You’re not gluing yourself to one outcome, you’re providing a framework and a unified force to achieve the vision and mission of your church.
That means the vision can shift and adapt as you hit markers, make progress, and your church body evolves. The important part is always having a focus point to turn to in decision-making or in times of trials.
A vision doesn’t box you in. It clears the road for bigger and better goals as your unified congregation and board work toward the same outcome.
Determine the core of your church’s impact
What do you want your church’s legacy to be? Where are you aiming your arrow? Even with the general vision of expanding God’s church and spreading the good news, you can go deeper and more specific.
What is your church family passionate about? Where do they spend their time, energy, and money? How does that align with your vision?
The more you dig, the more you’ll find commonalities and uncover the heart of your vision and what that means for day-to-day decision-making and long-term plans.
Action Items:
1. Remember to slow down and press in as needed
Executing a vision doesn’t happen overnight. Remember to slow down and work with God's timing, not yours.
Practice patience to see the vision play out the way God put it on your heart. It takes time. Give the vision time to cook—it’s an oven, not a microwave.
2. Stay on the boat
Whenever there is a change of course in a company or organization, there will be those on board at the front of the boat, those unsure in the middle of the boat, and those trying not to throw up at the back of the boat.
Those are all okay places to be as long as you stay on the boat and see the new direction through to the end. The hope is everyone will eventually be at the front, dedicated to the vision as a unified front,
3. Don’t rule when you should encourage
The temptation to jump in and micromanage people to see things your way can be strong, Yet, typically, that approach does not achieve the level of commitment and dedication needed to see a vision successfully executed consistently.
Encouragement is more powerful than trying to change someone’s point of view by strong-arming them into following a new direction.
God gave us free will because a heart that willingly chooses Him is stronger than a heart going through the motions without real commitment. Build your vision and watch the power direction can have in your church.