“Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime!” Reinhold Nieburh made this statement and I think it is a fitting perspective. Vision should be so grand that it extends beyond your capacity to do on your own and beyond your lifetime.
Vision is that which a congregation perceives by the Holy Spirit as pertaining to God’s purpose for them.
Do your people see the vision and are you leading them there?
Here are four realities about vision that must be understood if we are to build an effective, vibrant life and church.
1. Vision always requires faith. Usually, it requires more faith than we are comfortable with. George Muller, one of the great men of Christian faith said, “Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.”
To accomplish the God-sized vision, we have to take a risk and attempt something that we cannot do with our current skill set. That is when God gets glory.
2. Vision usually unfolds progressively. There are rare times when you perceive the big picture vision along with the little steps needed to get there, but most of the time, vision unfolds over time as you act on a glimpse that opens another possibility you did not think of previously.
Don’t get discouraged when you do not see the vision in as great detail as you want. It takes time for all the pieces of the puzzle to fit together.
3. Vision usually drives everyone to a new level of prayer. As in everything that is worth pursuing, vision provokes the enemy to attack before the vision can become reality. This drives people to their knees, asking God to help them fulfill the vision that is so grand in scope they must have His help.
We also understand that the enemy attacks people who have a great vision because he does not want them to do spiritual damage. When you are taking new ground, you face new enemies and obstacles. Spiritual battle done in prayer helps resist his attack.
4. Vision is fulfilled by a visionary leadership who has the heart and unity of a visionary people. There has to be someone to cast the vision and lead the charge in accomplishing the mission. The leadership knows how to lay a clear track for the vision and then foster unity in the people, mobilizing them to the cause. Be the visionary leadership that your people need to achieve the greatest vision imaginable!
Want to learn more about vision leadership? Check out our resources at our store, including:
Great Vision for a Great Church, sermon series, click here
Agreement, sermon series, click here
Effective Leaders Require Clarity, sermon notes, click here
The Making of a Leader, book, click here
