Vision Requires Intentionality

I've been at my current church for over a year, but I'm just now starting to work on defining the mission, vision, systems, structures, and roles for our ministry. My first six months I was only an intern and my second six months the church was in crisis mode. I've been so busy doing church that I haven't stopped to think about this stuff (which is slightly ironic because I write this leadership blog and read primarily leadership books, and would anyone that these are the basics of a good organization). When it came to do some leadership training a week or so ago I realized that I haven't articulated any of these basic ideas which are in my head.

One of my first ministry mentors was gifted in this area. Everything's purpose was clearly defined. Since I really appreciated and valued that, I assumed I was doing it too (which is a really bizarre thing to assume since it was about me).

It's starting to hit me...vision requires intentionality

It's far easier to...

...do business as usual
...focus on weekly tasks
...bogged down in details
...keep a system with no direction or accountability...

...than it is carve out time in your schedule to develop a vision, cast the vision, and apply that vision to every single ministry, program, responsibility, and volunteer in your organization.


Well, it's easier in the short run. In the long wrong it leads to more work, discouragement, confusion, volunteer problems, and lack of results.

Vision requires intentionality, but the payoff is efficiency, momentum, inspiration, etc.