What is Vision?

Sometimes we make the process of coming up with a vision much too difficult. Instead of straining to envision what our ministry should look like in the future, we need to pause and consider the following:

The mood of the church: How can we have more joy, evoke a mood of love and connections, and be truly inviting as a place to worship?

The ways of worship: What do the service or services look like? How are sermons, worship songs, and other components of the service planned? And who is involved?

The ways of community: How do people help each other in friendship gatherings such as Sunday or home Adult Bible Fellowships or life groups? How can we build true community or fellowship in Bible studies or classes? And how can these groups spawn true discipleship, where small groups of men or women (I suggest 3 to 7) really grapple with obedience and even accountability?

The mission of the church: Who are we really? How do we do evangelism, support missions, allow for differences, address politics, define conversion and discipleship, serve the local community, serve the poor, and invite the unchurched? It’s important to lead the way in such important matters.

Other things that might need considering include: buildings, mission projects, parachurch ministry partners, staff additions and focus, preaching style, and sensitivity to unbelievers and the unchurched.

Next time we’ll talk about how to get started.

What have been your frustrations or successes in the area of vision?

One Response to “What is Vision?”

1. Kris says:

   August 25, 2011 at 8:08 am

   Usually the frustration seems to come from the disconnect of the professional minister who lives and breathes the church’s vision 24/7 and the congregant who spends less than 5 hours a week thinking about the existence of the church let alone accomplishing the vision.