Confession time. I’m not really big on organizational vision statements. So many I have read seem somewhat clinical. “We exist to…” fill in the blank. I’m not saying they are unimportant. But sitting in a room for half a day and coming up with a vision statement isn’t the solution to an organization’s focus needs. It is part of the process, for sure.

What is a vision statement? I gleaned a bit from some church and ministry leaders. Ken Shaffer says it is “a one-sentence statement describing the clear and inspirational long-term desired change, resulting from an organization or program’s work.” Evan Doyle adds “every church and religious organization needs to communicate what it stands for and where it sees itself in the future.”

So, how do you get to that one-sentence statement that accurately tells others what you, as the leader, see in the future? Our friend and leadership expert Steve Gutzler has some suggestions to get you started. He says leaders can ask these questions of themselves:

  1. How would I like to change the world?
  2. What is my dream about this work, this ministry?
  3. What is my burning passion?
  4. What drives you to do your very best?

That might bring you to a short vision statement, like one church I know:

       Reach people, build lives.

Or it might be a bit longer, like that of Southwest Airlines:

       To be the world’s most loved, most efficient, and most profitable airline.

One company that helps folks craft their vision statement gives these steps.

  1. They should be short – a maximum of two sentences.
  2. They need to be specific to your organization or ministry and should describe a unique outcome that only you can provide.
  3. Use present tense.
  4. Keep it simple enough for people both inside and outside your organization to understand.
  5. It should be ambitious enough to be exciting but not too ambitious that it seems unachievable.
  6. Vision needs to align with the organization’s core values you want your people to exhibit as they perform their work.

So… here’s my caution. Leaders are clever, creative creatures. And most feel the pressure to “cast a vision” for the ministry or organization. But how do we get to that vision?

Dr. Henry Blackaby says it MUST come from God, not just thought up by the leader and staff in a conference room. He says what is needed is revelation. Blackaby says:

There is a significant difference between revelation and vision. Vision is something people produce; revelation is something people receive. Leaders can dream up a vision, but they cannot discover God’s will. God must reveal it. The visions that drive spiritual leaders must be derived from God.

If we want to pattern our lives and leadership after Jesus, we must follow His example. Jesus looked to His Father for direction for his earthly activity. He told His disciples:

… I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

So… How’s your vision? Seek the Lord’s direction for your ministry and let that be the driving force behind your ministry and your mission.

God’s best,