Where there is no vision, the people perish:
but he that keeps the law, happy is he. ~ Proverbs 29:18
One of the challenges many churches & organizations face is getting clarity on their vision. Often times the vision is fuzzy and they don’t even know it. Why? Because quoting a vision and having clarity on the vision are two different things. Pastors may be able to quote the vision for their church in their sleep. It may be hung on the office wall and displayed on the website but that still doesn’t mean the vision is clear.
A vision is clear when it drives the culture of your church or organization. A clear vision drives culture in three important ways.
- Decision Making – Having a clear vision simplifies hundreds or thousands of more detailed decisions. When your vision is clear, you make decisions that are in alignment with your vision. You are able to say “no” to things that don’t align with your vision and “yes” to things that are. If you have a difficult time making decisions about what events or programs to do in your church…it may be a sign that your vision isn’t clear.
- Setting Direction – A clear vision motivates your team to take action in the right direction. Often times organizations have to make difficult and painful decisions. When your vision is clear, you are able to take those first steps because you know where you’re going and you know how to get there. If the departments in your church are all moving in different directions…your vision probably isn’t clear.
- Increased Productivity – When your vision is clear, you don’t have to issue authoritarian decrees or micromanage your team to get things done. If your team knows where the church is headed and how to get there, it makes it easier to coordinate the actions of different people in a fast and efficient way. A clear vision ensures everyone is doing the right things to produce the right results. If you’re not producing the results you want in your church…you may need clarity on your vision.
A clear vision is a powerful thing: it increases productivity by setting the direction and simplifying the decision making process.
Eric Echols 