“Where there is no vision, the people perish,” (Proverbs 29:18). The children of Israel were given a vision of a Promised Land. God also gave them a cloud by day and a fire by night to guide them. J. Oswald Sanders refers to the visionaries of old, (Hebrews 11) and illustrates in Spiritual Leadership “They saw the vision, counted the cost, made their decisions, and went into action.”
Vision can be defined as your personal North Star, a dream, a goal, an anchor; it provides a path, a decision point, is value based and sees the impossible. Jack Kahl, in Leading from the Heart describes vision as, “The leader’s mind imagines a future unseen by others.” Check out Noah (Hebrews 11:7), “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
The Vision statement for the Jethro Group is, ‘Healthy Leaders; leading, serving and caring with integrity’. This is a motivating phrase that I pray about, work towards and plan my activities to achieve. I can break it down into components and write specific measurable goals for each. Then, as our Heavenly Father leads we move towards its accomplishment.
Dr. Angie Mays, in her book, Courteous Rebel confirms that, Vision and commitment are critical “to turn an organization around, to revitalize it, make it more flexible, innovative, and competitive.” In my personal and professional life I work with individuals and churches to define the Vision then set plans to accomplish it.
Dr. Don Page, in the Master of Leadership program at Trinity Western University suggests, “we don’t define a Vision, we discover it.” Since God gave gifts severally as He will, then it only seems logical that God also gives each church the skills, abilities and gifts it needs. Hence, the challenge to each church is not to define the vision, but to discover what God has in mind.
A good Vision statement will fit on a T shirt, a business card and letterhead. It can then focus every decision, activity and expenditure.
Leadership is discovering, living and praying towards a God given Vision.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach