Where there is no vision the people perish. --Proverbs 29:18
Vision: The art of seeing things invisible. --Jonathan Swift
I would give all the wealth of the world, and all the deeds of all the heroes, for one true vision. --Henry David Thoreau
No man that does not see visions will ever realize and high hope or undertake any high enterprise. --Woodrow Wilson
After having read a lot of books and heard from a lot of great minds regarding vision and visioncasting, I can say that it never quite prepared me for where I am at. As I am wrapping things up for our second gathering of Revolution Church Sacramento, I am reflecting on conversations I have had with some of those looking to connect with us. Even though it’s only our second gathering, I feel as if we (maybe more like “I”) have gone backwards a little bit.
Instead of getting people rallied behind a unified vision, I feel like maybe I have tried to address the ideas & dreams of others in a way to show them how we can be relevant together. In the end, the vision has become a little unclear. In my wanting to relate to everyone, I have instead caused some confusion in some and as a result we have lost a little momentum.
I heard from a great and wise friend this past week about the dangers in sharing too much about the vision. Actually, it is a message I had heard before from my mentoring pastor. I can say now without a doubt that even though books tell one to repeat the vision so much that people complain they are tired of hearing it, be careful how much of the vision is being shared. If it’s not easy to comprehend and focus on, it will just lead to confusion and disappointment.
Vision is at the core of what we do as church planters. It’s a gift from God that was for an appointed time, in an appointed city and done under the anointing of the church planter. We as church planters must remain true to the vision, but take things one step at a time. To avoid confusion and potential disappointment, I am going to look to this equation as I move forward:
- Church Planting + Vision = One Thing We Can Do Better Than Anyone Else And Embrace It!
I’m the person that when given one piece to a puzzle I can see the entire puzzle. Then I utilize my resources to find the remaining pieces and put them into place. When it comes to visioncasting, trying to explain what the whole puzzle will look like once it’s put together can only lead to confusion and overwhelm others. It has to be looked at one piece at a time, with the focus being on the piece of the puzzle you have now, rather than focusing on all pieces of the puzzle.
Through it all, I am learning and trying to be patient. In the end, I have to take responsibility for my actions and do my best to live without regrets. I’m thankful for all the wisdom God has surrounded me with and for the opportunities to find my way and eventually connect with those that God will bring together to form the completed puzzle of ministry here in Sacramento.
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Thanks for sharing Dave! Church planting is quite the challenge (one I’ll learn about someday), but I’m glad you’re taking such a good attitude about things. God will do great things through those who are willing to learn. I’m glad you’re a great learner!
Pete, church planting is a challenge! There are planting groups and organizations that do their best to prepare future church planters, but I have to say that experience in the field is its own teacher and nothing truly quite prepares one for the uniqueness of each individual church plant.
Luckily, mistakes are how we grow and learn and God speaks to those that are serving in humility…at least I hope he does :)
Thanks for all you are doing in service to the Lord and for your input and insight into helping shape Revolution Church Sacramento!
I love the picture of a puzzle of which you have one piece. I think another problem with sharing too much of the vision is that some of that “bigger picture” that a visioneer has may not be from God, but from his own imagination. As such, it isn’t God’s larger vision, and can easily become an idol.
There is need for visionaries in church planting; there is also a need for people who are stubbornly planted on terra firma. That makes a good team.
Phil: Great comments…thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! God definitely never gives us more than we can handle, so sometimes when we are overwhelmed it is because we add things to the vision from ourselves that aren’t in God’s plan. Having people with big dreams and those with practicality in mind do make a good team as long as they don’t detract from the vision. God is bigger than we can ever imagine, and sometimes he does call us to throw caution to the wind and trust in him :)