One of the most important functions of any leader is to Cast Vision. We used Andy Stanley’s definition of vision, which is: Vision is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be. You’ve got to have a vision before you can cast a vision. You’ve got to see in your ministry a future that is compelling and clear. You’ve got to feel an obligation and desire to see that vision fulfilled.
But how do you know it’s the right vision?
Here are a few clarifying characteristics of a quality vision:
1. It must be biblical. While this should be a given, your vision should be sound doctrinally in accordance with your churches statement of faith. (For example, if your vision for the kids is to see children worshiping through speaking in tongues but you are serving at a Southern Baptist church…well, you get the point!)
2. It must be aligned. If your vision for children’s ministry is divergent from the overall vision given by senior leadership of the church, then it is the wrong vision. A vision for any given ministry should be complimentary and supportive of what the church as a whole is trying to accomplish. This does not mean it isn’t unique for the ministry to which is applies, but it cannot contradict the vision of the church as a whole. For example, if you are in a church that emphasizes small groups but your vision only includes large group ministry, you probably need to re-think your vision alignment.
3. It must be clear. It can be (should be) big, but it must be able to be grasped in a clear & concise way. Do people know what the big picture is? A good way to gauge this is to see if you can share your vision via an “elevator speech”…the amount of time a typical elevator ride takes (about 1 minute)?
4. It must be inclusive. It must be a vision that includes and requires the involvement and investment of many others. If you, or you and your staff, or you and a few volunteers, can accomplish the vision, your vision is too small.
These are starters…what else would you include as an essential characteristic to a quality vision?
