Last week, we considered the first three filters of the vision frame — mission, the values that motivate us, and the strategy that serves as our map. Now we turn to the remaining pieces: the metrics that help us know whether we are winning and the clearly articulated vision that inspires people to join the journey.
In The Power of Vision, George Barna said, “The process necessarily extracts a significant cost from the vision seekers. Devotion to the process is the most important component of all the activities associated with God’s vision.” Are you clearly articulating God’s vision for your church’s ministry so people understand it, are challenged by it, and know how to participate in that vision? Sometimes what we think we are saying is not what people hear. Have you prayerfully considered how you might convey and cast that vision more effectively? Words are important and can change culture.
Where are you headed as a church right now, and how will you carry out the vision God has given you? Your mission must be God’s mission, and He has your church and other churches to carry it out. Mission is our ground zero and determines the “what” we should be doing. Jesus said in John 20:21, “As my Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.” What you value — Christ and His mission — is what should motivate you and your church. Do you treasure what He treasures? (Matt. 6:19-34). Then you must answer the “how” question and determine your strategy for carrying out His mission.
This leads you to the metrics you will use to determine success. Is it counting bodies, bucks, and buildings, or making disciples who make disciples to the fourth generation? Are you counting decisions or disciples?
These elements of the vision frame help clarify God’s vision for your church:
• Mission (the what) — What has God called us to do?
• Motives/Values (the why) — Why are we doing what we are doing?
• Map/Strategy (the how) — How will we carry out His mission?
• Metrics (the win) — How will we know if we are succeeding?
• Vision Proper (the where) — What preferred future is God leading us toward?
Mission serves as your compass, defining whether you are headed in the direction Christ has called you to journey. It informs your people about what you are doing and directs their energy toward accomplishing that mission.
God’s vision for your church, carrying out His mission, serves as the travel brochure for His preferred future. It outlines the goals He has directed you to accomplish in your community and context. This “vision proper” inspires people to make this journey. This is your vision, properly articulated, that inspires others to join. It creates energy (buzz) and encourages stepping out in faith and taking Holy Spirit-led risks. Vision is a living language that illustrates and anticipates God’s better immediate future. Jesus said that the fields are white unto harvest and in need of workers.
Here are four hard questions to ask and consider how they relate to your church. There are some hard truths here, and I pray you are willing to listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to you about them. In our Lord’s evaluation of the seven churches of Asia, He said to all of them, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 2-3). Listen, evaluate, and then have the courage to do what the Spirit of God tells you. If the Apostle John or the Apostle Paul were writing a letter to your church today, what would they say? Today, you must be in tune with what the Holy Spirit is saying.
• Are you more focused on projects or people? The people in your church are your greatest asset, and those outside your church are your greatest treasure. Aubrey Malphurs stated, “Programs don’t attract people; people attract people.” Are the next steps for becoming involved and active in your church clear? The challenge is to think through the steps before designing programs. A clear assimilation strategy makes the next step simple, easy, and obvious. If someone asked you what they should do next to become more connected, could you answer?
• Have you developed a strategy that serves as your missional map, and can you communicate it visually? Hal Seed reminded us of the importance of working “on” your ministry, not only “in” the ministry. Consider taking a “Vision Retreat” where you and other key leaders wrestle with ensuring you know where the Lord is leading you. Then ask Him to show you how to cast that vision with clarity.
• Are you so program- and activity-driven that you are overwhelmed by busyness? Thom Rainer stated, “As a whole, cluttered and complex churches are not alive.” Dan Reiland’s article, “A Lean Ministry is a Smart Ministry,” reminded us of the adage, “Make sure the main thing is the main thing.” Dan stated, “When your ministries are allowed to follow their own course (without change or pruning), they will become more complicated and less effective over time.” He continued, “The larger a church becomes, the ratio of energy-to-results yields decreasing returns. Fewer ministries allow you to refocus your energy for greater results.” Is it time to consider cutting some programs rather than adding more? This may enable you to focus on doing a few things well.
• How is your discipleship process going? Are your people growing, and are they beginning to help others grow stronger in the Lord? Church Unique stated, “Growing people grow people; consuming people consume programs.” What are you doing to move people in your church from consumers to contributors who are looking more and more like Jesus? For your discipleship plan (if you do not have one, get one), it will require an intentional leader, a relational environment, and a reproducible process.
Which of these four spoke to you the most? Is there something you can do to improve your church in that area? Was there one that really stood out to you about your church, and what steps could you take immediately to improve? Would you be willing to set aside dedicated time to develop a map (strategy) to improve in that area?
Here are some suggested resources: The Power of Vision by George Barna, Church Unique by Will Mancini, Developing A Vision for Ministry by Aubrey Malphurs, and our video training on “Mission, Vision, and Values,” which includes downloadable tools. Contact Heidi at heidi@bmaglobal.org to request more information about available resources.
All of us need to work harder on the clarity of God’s vision!
