Developing Your Churches 20/20 Vision
In the last six weeks since leaving Saddleback Church, I have talked with over 20 churches about their leadership, their strategy and their vision. It has become crystal clear to me church leaders are searching for their 20/20 vision. They are asking questions like…
- Where are we going to be by 2020?
- What will we be known for in 2020?
- How will we be reaching by 2020?
- How will the staff change by 2020?
- What is our vision for the next 10 years?
- What do we need to stop so we can start….?
For most of us, we refer to 20/20 vision as eyesight. A person with 20/20 vision has the what doctors call “perfect vision” because they can see letters on a chart clearly standing 20 feet away from it. You may have been blessed with 20/20 vision or have to use corrective measures to experience it. As my doc likes to say, “People with 20/20 have a clear image of their environment.”
Do you have a clear picture of your environment? What about the image of where your church is headed and how you are going to get there. Is that cystal clear? If not, consider these tips as a starting point to help you GRASP your churches 20/20 vision.
Get with God and ask for His wisdom. If you truly want to make the next 10 years the best 10 years of your life and ministry spend 20 minutes with God asking him to help you clarify where he wants your church to go for the next 20 days.
Realize your history but don’t be confined by it. History is great, but growing churches live in the now and the next rather than the past.
Align with your strengths and passions. The next 10 years will have some super highs and some super lows, but your passion will fuel you everyday to maximize your gifts and talents for God’s glory. Don’t let others tell you what the next 10 years should be for you…you are the leader. Step up and lead!
Seek 360 input so you have full perspective of your current reality. As God gives you a picture of how He wants you ministering the next 10 years, ask others for their thoughts too. For example, you may be feeling it’s time to jump into the multi-site game…seek wisdom before jumping in.
Put a plan in play to move towards your vision. Once you feel you have a picture of the next 10 years, have made sure it ignites your strengths/passions and have sought input…build a strategic plan to make it happen.
If you dedicate time and energy now to these core areas, you too can live with a clear picture (20/20 Vision) your life and church. If you need help discovering, defining and directing your churches 20/20 vision, give me a call 949-400-4765. Would love to partner with you!
Cheering for you!
Erik
