Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/91

Contributor - Heino A. Blaauw

Title - Retooling Today's Church For Tomorrow

Topic - Vision

Posted next to my desk on the wall of my study is this quote sent to me by a member of our church who works in an effective business organization. Its author is unknown.

REALLY VISION?

The term vision" is use a great deal in today's business. Yet, its real purpose and power are far less understood. The essence of a vision was captured by Aristotle. "The soul . . . never thinks without a picture," he said. Leaders are merchants of visions ... powerful mental pictures of an organization's future state. A vision is an organizing force. It organizes and channels enthusiasm. The vision is a picture that is exciting, engaging both the imagination and emotions of those in your organization.

A first-rate vision is bold, compelling and magnetic. It provides a deep sense of purpose for your people. As a beacon it fosters an alignment of everyone in your organization. Moreover, a well-crafted vision empowers your people. It is beautifully brief, allowing each of your people to add their own ideas and details. A vision is an essential tool for the transformational leader.

In the sense that it is an organization like any business, what this quote points out to the local church is that if it is to prepare for a future of effective ministry, its most essential organizational tool is a "bold, compelling, magnetic vision" communicated and lived out by church leaders who are merchants of visions."

Allow me to comment on this from my experience in church leadership over these past two years.

THE LACK OF VISION

I have observed that there are many churches in Canada today which still operate out of what I call a "1950's Organizational Mentality." In the fifties most Canadians went regularly to church and as a result churches did not have to clearly think through exactly why they existed. Their programs were full of people and their finances were in good shape. As organizations they were in good health. It seems to me that there was not a felt need for a vision to "organize and channel enthusiasm" as most people were committed to being part of a church organization.

Of course this religious scene has changed dramatically in the span of one generation to th now Canadians feel no obligation to be a part of a church. However, most churches have not redefined themselves in the midst of these sweeping changes. They still think of themselves in the same way as they did in the fifties and program accordingly. More foundationally, most churches do not have a concisely stated vision which energizes their organization and brings overall meaning to programming.

This could be contrasted with para-church organizations which sprung up in this past generation with very specific and clear visions. For the most part these organizations have been effective in reaching their target groups, certainly more so than the church, because they have operated out of a recognized vision.

WHAT DOES A CHURCH VISION LOOK LIKE?

A church vision takes shape in at least two ways. One is philosophy of ministry statements which express just why an organization exists. In our ministry we have been very intentional about doing this for the church as a whole and now we are at the point of writing out philosophies and corresponding action plans for each ministry area of our church. These statements are used to orient and evaluate programs.

The other more important shape f a church vision is its leadrship. Specifically the pastor must live a church's vision. If it is the stated vision of a church to reach unchurched people, the pastor must be involved in the lives of the unchurched. If it is the church's vision to be a warm, open fellowship, the pastor must lead the way in vulnerability.

To retool the church for tomorrow, it begins with leadership. The pastor must see him/herself as the church visionary. As leader, the pastor's primary role is to communicate organizational vision. It is to give people know-why. In today's information age, there is plenty of know-how available for people. Leaders give people know-why as they communicate vision through preaching, teaching, training and modeling. Leaders are "merchants of visions."

OBTAINING A VISION

How does a church go about getting a concise vision which Will serve as the "beacon" of the organization? My observation has been that it does not come quickly or easily. Even in a formulated stated, there is a sense of its constant evolution. Largely a vision is a gift, given from God according to a church's history and gifts and ministry opportunities. Therefore to obtain a vision, I would recommend that a church:

1. LOOK IN - at the gifts in the church. Every church has a unique gift mix. We are not called to be like other churches. We are called to be ourselves. I believe most churches have not really tapped into their giftedness, having been prevented by stifling traditions.

2. LOOK AROUND - while each church is unique, it is beneficial to see what other churches are doing and what God seems to be blessing.

3.LOOK BACK - at your church's traditions, theology, strength. Our church vision has a focus on family ministries which accords with our covenantal theology.

4. LOOK AHEAD - to social and demographic trends in your area which may provide ministry opportunities.

5. LOOK UP - visions from God come through prayer. As churches and leaders commit themselves to prayer the conviction arises that God has a unique vision for their organization to carry out. As we pray God gives us pictures of that vision to pursue. Prayer is foundational to church effectiveness. Our own church has forty Prayer Partners who daily uphold our ministry in prayer and I am convinced that these prayers are the source of our spiritual energy.

In this closing stress of prayer, we recognize that retooling today's church for tomorrow is not something newfangled at all. It is old-fashioned spiritual hunger and prayer that begins the process of renewal and that brings those organizationally transforming visions.

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