Linking Vision and Reality
Ran across a couple of great posts on vision, both of which drive home the notion that vision should be more than just an idea — vision needs to connect mission to strategy in a real/tangible/practical way:
1) Larry Brey talks about how Vision is Divisive, but in a good way — here’s a quote:
Vision isn’t a statement, it’s what you do. The more you clarify the vision the more divisive it is. It draws a line in the sand that says either jump on board or get out of the way because here’s where this church is going. For too long churches have muddied the vision keeping in nebulous and ill defined. When vision is only something you say, anything goes. But when you drill it down to what you do people are forced to do something…either get on board or go somewhere else.
2) Chris Marlow explains why Vision is Overrated — namely vision devoid of implementation — excerpt is below:
I think vision gets way to much credit in the church world. Lot’s of dreamers with big idea’s. (people like me) Dreams mean nothing if they don’t get some feet and start walking. Vision can become your friend or your enemy. Vision can bear fruit or cause apathy.
The difference is leadership. It takes a leader to see the vision from scratch to wholeness while a dreamer will continue to “put stuff on paper” but that “stuff” never comes alive in the people of God. A true leader will take the words on the paper document and bring life and fruit from the vision.The greatest leaders are not the visionary but the implementer. The visionary has to learn how to implement or have people around them who can implement the vision.
Is your vision becoming a reality? Do you have a clear strategy or process for accomplishing your God-given mission, or is it still just wishful thinking?
Steven, Thanks for the link. Laser focused vision is something that has defined Elevation’s short 2 1/2 years of existence. Blessings on you and your ministry!
Larry Brey