From the Vineyard Vaults, an article examining the practical steps to putting wheels on your vision.
“What is vision? Where does it originate? Someone said “Vision is hope with a blueprint.” It’s a burning “yes” inside. Charles Swindoll declares “Vision is spawned by faith, sustained by hope, sparked by imagination, and strengthened by enthusiasm.” Vision comes from a divine-human synergy where God wills and acts in us while we will and act for him (Phil. 2:13).
What is your vision? Is it for street people, hospitality, young adults, intercession, men, drama or a coalition of secular and sacred working together? What sends excitement into your heart? It could ‘be anything, even something unusual. How can you transform your vision into a vehicle for ministry?
The following seven steps will get you from an idea to implementation.
1. Ask Philosophy Questions
Ask, is my church an assembly plant for ministry vehicles? Is there a ministry philosophy that says “yes”? Or will I expect a “no”? Does my church equip and unleash people for ministry according to Ephesians 4:11-16? Or do we only offer pre-made programs that I must sign up for? Is there openness for new ideas? A tight hold on ministry snuffs out new ideas. You won’t get wheels on your ideas if your believe in axles. People approach me with ministry questions. Sometimes out of fun, before they speak— especially when I know what they are going to ask—I will say “the answer is yes!”
But unrestrained vision causes havoc. Churches must be strategic in which battles they will fight and when. They can’t be all things to all people. Vision needs some restraints. Ask, does my vision align with my church’s vision and values? Then ask, will I carry my vision rather than load it onto someone else’s back? Don’t expect the pastor or other leaders to fulfil your vision.
2. Make A proposal
Define your purpose and goals. Ask, what do I want to accomplish, why and how? Develop options of how to accomplish your vision. For example, maybe there are several ways to start a men’s ministry. Better to have several options for someone to evaluate than one. Most visions need revising as other factors and problems surface.
Determine what resources and structures are available. Look for models in other churches or organizations from which to get ideas. Then see an appropriate leader who will give you direction. Have lunch with a pastor, a department head, an elder, or someone you have relationship with that you trust. Present the proposal. Share your heart
Anticipate questions as you think through the possibilities and problems. If your vision has potential, they will either refer you to the right person or will see you again. Then for a couple of weeks, take it from proposal to prayer.
3. Simmer In Prayer
Let your vision and proposal simmer in prayer. Allow God to shape your vision and proposal. Let your imagination run wild as you ponder Ephesians 3:20; “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
How much can you ask or imagine? God can do immeasurably more!
For example, someone presented me with a proposal for young-adult seeker service. After two weeks of incubation he came back with an eleven-page proposal for not only a seeker service, but also a complete young adults ministry a new members follow-up assimilation strategy!
While talking over lunch with one of our worship people, I chanced upon a vision for a three-month worship school. I shared it with our team. We let it simmer in prayer. A week later, while driving my car, the thoughts “worship and prophecy” burst into my mind. That period of incubation produced a fuller vision for a three-month international school of worship and prophecy. It’s happening.
In each case above, incubation led to illumination. Let your vision simmer in prayer and ask others to pray about it and give you their thoughts.
4. Enlist Key People
Good visions usually require a good team to fulfil them. “The bigger the dream, the bigger the team.”
Communicate your proposal with others who may share a similar vision. Collective yearnings are like logs piled continuously on a campfire they ignite each other and enlarge the blaze. Contact people with whom you have relationship. Ask around Follow-up leads and referrals.
Enlist key people who will support your vision. Build a core team who might work together to put wheels on the ministry idea. Brainstorm, Pray together. Practice “possibility thinking.” Network with other departments, churches or agencies who may want to assist you.
For example, the local Youth With A Mission base agreed to partner with us on the worship and prophecy school by providing meals, lodging and staff. Another example is where people from our church started a society and enlisted the provincial government to help fund a low-cost housing project. As one more example, a person in our church proposed a vision for a performing arts guild, where musicians, actors, dancers, flag teams, and artists would work together on productions and community outreaches,
Cultivate synergy and innovation. Enlist key people. They will support what they help create.
5. Draft A Plan
Because they have no plan, many good visions end up in junkyards of what could have been. If you have a good vision, make the time and effort to draft a plan. You can’t build a vehicle for vision without a blueprint. In Steven Covey’s words “Begin with the end in mind.” Keep your vision in view as you work back to the beginning.
What must you do, in what order, by when? Consult your key people. Work through anticipated obstacles or objections and formulate solutions. Design a structure that will support the vision.
Type a 4-6 page plans that expresses your vision strategy with goals and action plans. People need to read your plan and see it graphically. Let them write on it and have a part in it. Distribute the plan to the person who first heard your proposal and to those that require further input, depending on its importance (e.g. other pastors, elders, deacons, overseers, etc). Make revisions and draft a final plan.
6. Present The Plan
After an initial “yes” or “this has real potential—let’s talk again,” set a time to present the plan. Do this in person and in print for the person or persons who will give the final go-ahead. Encourage dialogue, questions and input.
Your goal is to cultivate shared ownership that empowers and enlists.
After the approval, meet with your core team and other stakeholders (those people who have a vested interest in or are affected by your vision) to present the plan and get their final input. If necessary, ask your pastor or a senior leader to speak on your behalf while you present the vision in person with an abbreviated plan to the whole church.
Your goal is to cultivate shared ownership that empowers and enlists people.
7. Produce The Plan
Now’s the time to get the vehicle on the road. Produce the plan. Be proactive. You built the vehicle, now drive it. Schuller says that “Beginning is half done.” Enlist others and lead your team. You need both the authority and responsibility to produce the plan and make decisions. Be full of faith yet flexible. Know that I your vision will be tested, criticised, and changed as you go. There might be delays, but someone said “God’s delays do not mean God’s denials.” After planning your work, work your plan. Stick with it. Live, model, pray, and communicate your vision. Evaluate at regular intervals. Record the fruit. Then communicate the on-going results with your stakeholders to keep the vision alive.
Vision Problems
You may be thinking, “This is all sounds great. But what should I do when I usually hear ‘no’ in my church?” Or, “I have a burning vision for this but I can’t enlist anyone.” Consider several factors:
1. Perhaps your vision does not align with the current direction of vision of your church.
2. Maybe God is testing your vision with a delay that will forge a better product later.
3. Possibly your vision needs changes. Obstacles could be opportunities for improvement.
4. It could be the Enemy set an ambush to sabotage your vision.
5. Perhaps you have run into a wall of problem perceived.
paint an exciting picture, and sell the problem to which your vision is an answer.
In ‘Developing the Leader Within You’, John Maxwell writes: Some people can see a problem in every solution. Usually obstacles are the things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.
Interestingly, some people think the ability to see problems is a mark of maturity. Not so it’s the mark of a person without a vision. These people abort great visions by presenting problems without solutions
:: Your options are:
:: Opt for “death of a vision”
:: Pray that God will resurrect it
:: Wait for better timing, engage in spiritual warfare intercession,
:: Help problem perceivers to see beyond the problems, or revisit the process.
If you must help problem perceivers or revisit the process, go back to the same people to share your heart, paint an exciting picture, and sell the problem to which your vision is an answer.
Few visions score a home-run the first at bat. Ask for other ideas or solutions. You may have to wrestle for your vision as Jacob wrestled the angel for the blessing. However, if you still can’t get a “yes” and believe God inspired you, look for an alternative way to fulfill it.
Win/Win
Win/Win” is a worthy goal. But for all to win, they must own a common vision. We all need vision. “Without it,” John Maxwell writes, “energy ebbs low, deadlines are missed, personal agendas begin to surface, production falls, and people scatter.
Helen Keller was asked, “What would be worse than being born blind?” She replied, “To have sight without vision.” May God empower you to get wheels on your ideas for ministry as you go from vision to vehicle, “For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve his purpose” (Phil 2:13).
