Vision Casting or Rock Throwing?

In today's troubling society there is an express need for vision. This need is being expressed on everything from talk shows, to magazine articles, to political interviews. This is an era that has been marked by visionless, directionless leaders, stuck in the mantra of "this is the way it has always been done, and I'm not budging!" Well, as we have seen in recent months around the world, generation next (those 30 and under) are not only changing the tune, but they are changing the way leadership will be defined in the future. Through a series of bad decision-making and disregard for the opinions of the people, not to mention well-being, many young people have decided to take matters into their own hands, deciding that justice will be served or they will die fighting for it. The unrest that began on one side of the world has made rip tides in other areas, and is now hitting the good ole USA. So, what does this mean for leaders, in particular church leadership?

As a leader, you must have a vision, a defined plan from God for the people of God. It is not enough to hope that things fall into place. Too many times the words "Spirit-led" are used to brush over or ignore lack of preparation, slothfulness, idleness, and irreverence for the things of God. When questioned about these areas, many times leaders get defensive rather than pensive. A thoughtful evaluation of leadership practices can go a long way to renewing faith and to strengthening your relationship with the body. As Rick Warren stated, before you renew a program, you should ask yourself, is it working? Is it what my church needs?

Most leaders have yearly and quarterly meetings with their staff and some include the entire congregation. This is commonly called Vision Casting. This is a time where leaders can refresh themselves with the overall vision, look at areas of improvement, and areas of stagnancy as well as growth. Out of that Vision Casting, the plan for the upcoming year is laid out. This is a great way to involve your congregation so that they will own the vision God has placed within you and run with it.

Once the Vision is Cast, don't make the mistake of spending the year turning it into a rock-throwing session. What do I mean? If you are not careful as a leader, you can find yourself preaching about what isn't right or who isn't doing, rather than focusing on the Vision at hand. Your sermons become therapy sessions for you rather than an enriching and equipping time in the Word of God. There is a difference between making the text relevant and using impartation time to point the finger or publicly embarrass a member of the congregation. God has his eye on everything done in His house, and He's not laughing.

Though I am by no means an "expert", I have been on both sides of the fence as a minister and as a member. It is an uncomfortable feeling to sit through a sermon that is directed at someone and not directed at the issues we all face. As a minister, it can be tempting, to let someone have it when you have the mic, but I encourage you to be the bigger person. As you go before God in prayer, ask Him to give you a clear conscience, and help you to speak what ministers grace not gripe to the hearers. In doing so, you allow God to minister to you and to the congregation.

 Rock Throwing causes people to run for cover.Vision Casting causes people to be empowered. Thank God for counting you worthy, putting you into the ministry, allowing you to be a light. Keep empowering and watch what God will do through you!

Want to have Outrageous Church? Put your Outrageous Vision in God's hands!

Blessings!