Vision has been defined as “a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be”. Proverbs 29:18 states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Establishing a vision for your ministry is essential to knowing where you are going and getting everyone on the same page to get there.
Vision Determines Direction
It is nearly impossible to get where you are going without the ability to see where you are going. It’s like navigating your way through a room with a blindfold on. You are constantly bumping into and knocking down things. And if you’re not careful, you will get hurt.
Your vision helps you clarify what you want and how to get there. It opens your eyes to the possibilities. A clear and compelling vision serves as the GPS for your life, organization, and ministry.
Vision also makes your decision making process easier. If you know where you are headed you can then say “no” to things that will not help you get there and “yes” to the things that will. Vision gives you focus to see the end goal and avoid the obstacles that will keep you from reaching it.
Vision Creates Alignment
Not long ago, I was driving down the road and began to notice that my car was pulling to the left. Every time I took my hands off the wheel, my car began to veer toward the centerline. I took my car to the mechanic and he told me that the front end was “out of alignment”. He told me that misalignment could cause major problems if I didn’t get it fixed. Well, I got it fixed and now my car is running smoothly.
The same thing is true of our lives. If we are out of alignment, it can cause major problems. In our organization, vision creates alignment. It becomes a rallying point for all your volunteers. It puts everyone on the same page, working together to accomplish the same goals.
One final note about vision: only YOU can determine the vision of your organization. Please don’t misunderstand that statement. You will need to work with your Senior Leadership Team to make sure your vision is synchronized with the overall vision of the church. What I am saying is that vision is born in the leader when they are dissatisfied with the status quo. Vision begins with you and then leaks throughout your entire organization. You have to do the due diligence and determine what you want to see happen and then design a plan to make it happen.
Eric Echols 