UNDERSTANDING VISION “Then the Lord said, ‘Write the vision down and make it plain on paper so that people may run with it. For the vision awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it, it will certainly come and will not delay’”. Habakkuk 2:2-3 (paraphrased)
The Scripture quoted above, which are God’s words spoken through the prophet, tells us some important things about vision. Firstly, true vision comes from God. We could describe God’s vision as God’s preferred future for the church, as interpreted by the
church planter to the best of his/her ability. Vision that comes from human sources is not really vision, but is, instead, a model of doing church. Many church planters do not take the time to discern God’s vision for their church plant. They often do not know how to listen for God’s word.
Secondly, God tells us to write down the vision so that people may run with it. The vision we discern from God for our church is not something vague that we hold in our hearts. It needs to be articulated and written down so that others will understand it. The phrase, “that people may run with it” illustrates the motivational value of the vision. The vision, when discerned and articulated properly, will motivate people to action. Vision helps people focus on God’s preferred value for the future rather than relying upon their own plans or getting confused about the vision due to difficulties with others. When you are gathering people and raising funds, clear vision is important.
Thirdly, our Scripture passage tells us that true vision “awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end”. God has a time plan for implementation of the vision. We will not fulfill the vision if we get ahead of God or of the appointed time. Good planning begins with an end in mind. A clear vision is the end in mind, or the preferred future. It is the basis for planning. This tool is important when focusing energy and other resources in the church plant.
Fourthly, notice that the Scripture says, “Though it linger, wait for it”. This should remind us that implementing the vision takes time. God has a timeline of God’s own and we must be patient and trust in God. At times when the vision does not seem to be happening, we need to reiterate the vision to ourselves and others so that we all understand that we are operating in God’s time, and not our own. Vision must be cast frequently and creatively.
Fifthly, a clear vision can be used as a tool for evaluation when the church is lingering or not progressing. At those times we can analyze what we are doing in terms of how it affects the vision. What takes us toward the vision? What does not? What interferes with the vision? What is using up our resources of time and energy, but is not helping us fulfill the vision?
Finally, the Scripture says that the vision “will certainly come and it will not delay.” True vision builds up our faith and enables us to receive more from God.
Is vision important to your ministry? Clear and aggressive vision is a key factor for all successful parishes. This has been especially true for the last two decades. The reason is that boomers are a vision driven generation. “If you build it, they will come.” Newer, younger leaders often see vision as hype and do not give vision the importance it merits. Their culture places more importance on value driven leaders and ministry. But, vision also has an important place in the values driven church, as stated above. Also, remember that many of the people you will need to back your church, because they have the resources and authority you need, come from the vision driven generation. Therefore, you need to give attention to both values and vision.
The slide that follows shows what we call the Truth Box. It represents what we see. This truth box is defined by factors that limit your perceptions.
MY TRUTH BOX (What I See)
WE SEE ONLY WHAT’S IN THE BOX
GOD SEES EVERYTHING IN AND OUT OF THE BOX
VIA THE VISION
WE COME TO SEE WHAT GOD SEES
VISION FOCUSES OUR ATTENTION OUTSIDE THE BOX SO THT WE CAN WEE WHAT GOD SEES
God wants us to expand our perceptions. We need to stay very connected to God so that our own misguided perceptions do not keep us from seeing the vision that God sees for our church plant.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen.”
Heb 11:1
Assignment 2:
Write a short paper listing 4 things that at the present time limit your vision. (Example: lack of funds) Identify a way to turn each limitation into an opportunity for growth.
“Then the Lord said, ‘Write the vision down and make it plain on paper so that people may run with it. For the vision awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it, it will certainly come and will not delay’”. Habakkuk 2:2-3 (paraphrased)
The Scripture quoted above, which are God’s words spoken through the prophet, tells us some important things about vision. Firstly, true vision comes from God. We could describe God’s vision as God’s preferred future for the church, as interpreted by the
church planter to the best of his/her ability. Vision that comes from human sources is not really vision, but is, instead, a model of doing church. Many church planters do not take the time to discern God’s vision for their church plant. They often do not know how to listen for God’s word.
Secondly, God tells us to write down the vision so that people may run with it. The vision we discern from God for our church is not something vague that we hold in our hearts. It needs to be articulated and written down so that others will understand it. The phrase, “that people may run with it” illustrates the motivational value of the vision. The vision, when discerned and articulated properly, will motivate people to action. Vision helps people focus on God’s preferred value for the future rather than relying upon their own plans or getting confused about the vision due to difficulties with others. When you are gathering people and raising funds, clear vision is important.
Thirdly, our Scripture passage tells us that true vision “awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end”. God has a time plan for implementation of the vision. We will not fulfill the vision if we get ahead of God or of the appointed time. Good planning begins with an end in mind. A clear vision is the end in mind, or the preferred future. It is the basis for planning. This tool is important when focusing energy and other resources in the church plant.
Fourthly, notice that the Scripture says, “Though it linger, wait for it”. This should remind us that implementing the vision takes time. God has a timeline of God’s own and we must be patient and trust in God. At times when the vision does not seem to be happening, we need to reiterate the vision to ourselves and others so that we all understand that we are operating in God’s time, and not our own. Vision must be cast frequently and creatively.
Fifthly, a clear vision can be used as a tool for evaluation when the church is lingering or not progressing. At those times we can analyze what we are doing in terms of how it affects the vision. What takes us toward the vision? What does not? What interferes with the vision? What is using up our resources of time and energy, but is not helping us fulfill the vision?
Finally, the Scripture says that the vision “will certainly come and it will not delay.” True vision builds up our faith and enables us to receive more from God.
Is vision important to your ministry? Clear and aggressive vision is a key factor for all successful parishes. This has been especially true for the last two decades. The reason is that boomers are a vision driven generation. “If you build it, they will come.” Newer, younger leaders often see vision as hype and do not give vision the importance it merits. Their culture places more importance on value driven leaders and ministry. But, vision also has an important place in the values driven church, as stated above. Also, remember that many of the people you will need to back your church, because they have the resources and authority you need, come from the vision driven generation. Therefore, you need to give attention to both values and vision.
The slide that follows shows what we call the Truth Box. It represents what we see. This truth box is defined by factors that limit your perceptions.
MY TRUTH BOX (What I See)
WE SEE ONLY WHAT’S IN THE BOX
GOD SEES EVERYTHING IN AND OUT OF THE BOX
VIA THE VISION
WE COME TO SEE WHAT GOD SEES
VISION FOCUSES OUR ATTENTION OUTSIDE THE BOX SO THT WE CAN WEE WHAT GOD SEES
God wants us to expand our perceptions. We need to stay very connected to God so that our own misguided perceptions do not keep us from seeing the vision that God sees for our church plant.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen.”
Heb 11:1
Assignment 2:
Write a short paper listing 4 things that at the present time limit your vision. (Example: lack of funds) Identify a way to turn each limitation into an opportunity for growth.
Fifthly, a clear vision can be used as a tool for evaluation when the church is lingering or not progressing. At those times we can analyze what we are doing in terms of how it affects the vision. What takes us toward the vision? What does not? What interferes with the vision? What is using up our resources of time and energy, but is not helping us fulfill the vision?
Finally, the Scripture says that the vision “will certainly come and it will not delay.” True vision builds up our faith and enables us to receive more from God.
Is vision important to your ministry? Clear and aggressive vision is a key factor for all successful parishes. This has been especially true for the last two decades. The reason is that boomers are a vision driven generation. “If you build it, they will come.” Newer, younger leaders often see vision as hype and do not give vision the importance it merits. Their culture places more importance on value driven leaders and ministry. But, vision also has an important place in the values driven church, as stated above. Also, remember that many of the people you will need to back your church, because they have the resources and authority you need, come from the vision driven generation. Therefore, you need to give attention to both values and vision.
The slide that follows shows what we call the Truth Box. It represents what we see. This truth box is defined by factors that limit your perceptions.
MY TRUTH BOX (What I See)
WE SEE ONLY WHAT’S IN THE BOX
GOD SEES EVERYTHING IN AND OUT OF THE BOX
VIA THE VISION
WE COME TO SEE WHAT GOD SEES
VISION FOCUSES OUR ATTENTION OUTSIDE THE BOX SO THT WE CAN WEE WHAT GOD SEES
God wants us to expand our perceptions. We need to stay very connected to God so that our own misguided perceptions do not keep us from seeing the vision that God sees for our church plant.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen.”
Heb 11:1
Assignment 2:
Write a short paper listing 4 things that at the present time limit your vision. (Example: lack of funds) Identify a way to turn each limitation into an opportunity for growth.
Fifthly, a clear vision can be used as a tool for evaluation when the church is lingering or not progressing. At those times we can analyze what we are doing in terms of how it affects the vision. What takes us toward the vision? What does not? What interferes with the vision? What is using up our resources of time and energy, but is not helping us fulfill the vision?
Finally, the Scripture says that the vision “will certainly come and it will not delay.” True vision builds up our faith and enables us to receive more from God.
Is vision important to your ministry? Clear and aggressive vision is a key factor for all successful parishes. This has been especially true for the last two decades. The reason is that boomers are a vision driven generation. “If you build it, they will come.” Newer, younger leaders often see vision as hype and do not give vision the importance it merits. Their culture places more importance on value driven leaders and ministry. But, vision also has an important place in the values driven church, as stated above. Also, remember that many of the people you will need to back your church, because they have the resources and authority you need, come from the vision driven generation. Therefore, you need to give attention to both values and vision.
The slide that follows shows what we call the Truth Box. It represents what we see. This truth box is defined by factors that limit your perceptions.
