The Power of Vision

by Jim Sheppard

Creating Personal Involvement

Big vision attracts big giving! Consequently, a lack of thereof seems to be a reason why many churches struggle to fund their annual operating budget. While they have done a fine job putting together the department-by-department budget and communicating the numeric information to the congregation, they have failed to present a persuasive vision of the ministry. The congregation needs to see beyond the numbers and activities of the church and be personally drawn into the potential impact of the church.

The difference between the churches facing financial challenges and those having extraordinary success boils down to vision. They need to understand how much more could be accomplished if they were to participate.

Ironic changes occur when the vision is big and bold and captured in a biblical frame of reference. For example:

• In the midst of a church´s capital campaign, a man who has historically given virtually nothing in the way of financial support to the operating budget of church suddenly decides to make a $500,000 commitment for capital needs. There are probably multiple factors in decisions like this, but it cannot be denied that this member caught the vision of what the church was trying to do.Vision, much like faith, enables people to see that which does not exist.

In churches everywhere, people who have been blessed and see what their church can become, often want to do all they can to make it happen. I know about:

• a set of parents that stepped forward to buy a van to transport church youth, two days after the pastor announced the need.
• a man that gave money to the church of his childhood when he hadn´t attended there for decades.

The everyday examples of this concept are endless.

Beyond the budget

Comprehensive financial due diligence is an important part of church management, but is secondary to creating and communicating a persuasive vision of ministry. By focusing more on the impact of the church, compassion and community are more clearly communicated, and much more motivational than a financial chart demonstrating the need.

James C. Collins, in his book Built To Last, talks about the hallmarks of great organizations. One of those marks is what he calls “big hairy audacious goals” - BHAG. Collins says, “A BHAG engages people - it reaches out and grabs them in the gut. It is tangible, energizing, highly focused. People “get it” right away; it takes little or no explanation.” Churches should consider BHAG´s as part of their overall vision of ministry.

A Practical Perspective

Once the vision is clear, the communications strategy must be carefully thought out. Focus on the beneficiaries of the vision. For example, rather than presenting the video of the church mission team to Central America doing their work, show more up-close footage of the people who were impacted by the mission team´s work. Rather than showing all the church volunteers who worked on the Habitat for Humanity house, interview the family who will occupy the house. Rather than showing the church outreach team going to the downtown soup kitchen for the homeless, show interviews of homeless people sharing what it means to have the church reach out to them.

The mission of the church is clear: Make Disciples (Matthew 28:19). However, the vision of ministry for each local church might be different based on culture, demographics, pressing community needs and other factors. As you approach your next emphasis for annual ministry support, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do we have a clear vision of ministry?
2. Is it big enough to stimulate participation?
3. Has it been clearly communicated?