Seven Ways to Develop a Church Vision
Right now I’m talking with my Church
Leadership class (see picture at right) about vision and leadership. They are the “emerging emergent" ministers
who will be coming along soon intending to do things differently (of course)
than you oldsters in your 20's and 30’s. We're examining how a minister works
with a vision-developing before leading toward it.
This will be fun! How about doing them a favor (and
all the rest of us who read this too.)
Make a few insightful “comments from the real-world” on the following
approaches. See any problems with any? What other ways can a vision be developed?
What would you advise these in-the-pipeline ministers as they think about these
things?
SEVEN WAYS TO
DEVELOP A CHURCH VISION
1. Forget vision—just minister.
Pastor does not work with a vision for the
future but "takes it as it comes" responding a week at a time waiting
to "see what happens." Vision is overrated.
2. Keep on Keeping on.
On arrival the new pastor finds out what the
pre-existing vision of the church was before arrival and goes with that.
3. All swim.
Pastor gathers the entire church to develop a
vision statement.
4. Board dreams & casts.
Pastor meets with the board developing a
vision, then they cast it to the whole church.
5. Pastoral staff dream & cast.
Pastor meets with pastoral staff developing
the vision then together they cast it to the board and church.
6. Moses-on-the-mountain.
Pastor "goes up the mountain" and
seeks the vision, then returns to cast it to board and members.
7. Denomination’s choice.
Pastor and church adopts the District
Superintendent's vision (and denomination’s) for the church.
So,
what do you think?
What insight & comments will you
offer to
your future youth pastors and assistants? What other ways to develop vision?
Any thoughts? Cautions? Suggestions?
Reality checks? Adive?
Keith Drury January 23, 2007