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Vision is a Destination not a Statement

Vision is a destination, not a statement. Many churches spend an incredible amount of time wordsmithing pithy vision statements instead of providing a clear picture of where they’re going. What a majority of churches view as their vision statement is usually a mission statement.

Mission Answers the Question: Why do we exist?

This is the timeless answer to why your church is on the planet in the first place. We don’t get to pick our mission Jesus did that for us. That’s the whole, “go and make disciples,” part. But we do get to pick language that contextualizes it for our culture.

Vision Answers the Question: Where are we going?

This is the next hill that needs to be taken. Vision typically changes every 3-5 years. Vision changes because once you get there and have taken then hill, there’s always the next hill to take.

Most church staff can’t articulate the next hill their church is taking. They don’t’ know the target on the wall they’re shooting for. One way to begin to bring clarity to the vision at your church is to simply ask the question,

“Where would we be in 3-5 years if our church faithfully lived out the mission Jesus has given us in the context of our community, unique culture of our church, gifting and passions of our Sr. Leadership, and resources that God has given us?”

Doing the serious work to answer this question will help you put a target on the wall to hit. Getting crystal clear on this will have a “trickle down” effect on every decision made in your church over the next 3-5 years. It will allow you to:

  1. Set goals and measure results.
  2. Determine how to allocate resources and budget.
  3. Help you understand how you need to structure your staffing model.
  4. Bring alignment to ministries.

Posted in Leadership

4 Responses to “Vision is a Destination not a Statement”

  1. Halerimaana Naphutali June 30, 2016 at 12:22 am #

    Dear Paul, thank you for your insight on ‘Vision’. I am impressed the way you clarified it to me.Be blessed.

    • Paul Alexander June 30, 2016 at 9:08 pm #

      Glad the post was helpful!

  2. Steve Elliott July 1, 2016 at 8:03 am #

    Thanks Paul! Our church pastor has told me they have combined the Mission & Vision into the following statement:

    Vision
    Living Hope exists to invite the people of Peterborough to
    experience Christian community (BELONG),
    explore faith in Jesus Christ (BELIEVE),
    and express Jesus’ love to others (BLESS).

    That’s it! I am still trying to clarify what our ‘Vision’ really is!

    • J. Rufus Kuku July 14, 2016 at 1:58 am #

      Great Paul!I am so blessed with your great work you’re doing making so much impact globally with families, churches, institutions etc.

      May God richly impact you with wisdom to be of a great blessing to the world.

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