A leader without vision is a poor leader, at best. I am not talking about eyesight. I am speaking of vision that comes from God to lead His people. A leader has a keen sense of direction that comes from the ultimate Guide- the Holy Spirit who lives within every follower of Jesus. The vision comes not from our dreams and desires, but from the heart of God. A leader who sees what God sees will lead God’s people in the direction the Lord desires. Any other direction is simply the wrong way.
Seventeen years ago, I met a man of vision. He was a college student who was gifted in preaching/teaching and had a vision for reaching people with the Gospel of Christ. Clayton King formed Crossroads Worldwide, which host a major summer camp each year and connects the Church with missions all around the world. God gave Clayton a vision. He took a “country boy” from Fountain Inn, South Carolina and transformed him into a leader that reaches millions of people around the world with the Gospel of Jesus. (visit his site at crossroadsworldwide.com)
George Barna states, “If you want to be a leader, vision is not an option; it is part of the standard equipment of a real leader.” Without vision there is no destination at which to arrive. “Leaders have a clear idea of what they want to do- personally and professionally- and the strength to persist in the face of setbacks, even failures. They know where they are going and why.” (George Barna, Leaders on Leadership)
Vision, for the Christian, has to be inspired by the Spirit of God. This is the foundation upon which leadership is formed. If a man has no personal vision for ministry, then he has not been called to lead God’s people. People will follow a leader only when they understand where they are going to be led.
In the Bible, Noah led his family with faithfulness and obedience to God when all of humanity had turned against the Lord. When God called Noah to build a boat, his mind had never conceived such an idea or even the need for a floating vessel. Abraham was called to leave the comfort of Ur and lead his family into an unknown land, with an impossible promise made by a previously unknown God. Without vision, Noah or Abraham would have never experienced the grace and power of God. A Christ-honoring vision always leads us beyond our abilities and resources to something greater and miraculous.
The vision should be razor sharp in its focus, yet broad and versatile in its application. This means that the vision should be clear and concise so that the average church member can recall it from memory. It must be broad in spectrum to allow for the uniqueness of the different spiritual gifts of the fellowship. The vision from God is what sustains the man of God on the most difficult days and directs him away from the continual diversions of Satan.
Questions to Consider:
Do you believe that all leaders must have vision?
What is the vision for the ministry God has called you to lead?
How can leaders define/refine the vision for their current context?
In the previous blog (http://t.co/89lWDmTco4), I defined the kind of leadership that God honors. A leader is someone who can articulate a God-given vision for ministering to people. By being trustworthy, a leader encourages others to embrace the vision. Through inspiration, a leader empowers followers to use God-given spiritual gifts to fulfill the vision. Humility allows the leader to guide others through a strategic progression of goals. A genuine love for others causes a leader to replicate leadership through intentional mentoring relationships. These aspects of integrity and their corresponding actions are both the litmus test and the definition of leadership.
Check back tomorrow as we examine the issue of trust and its effect on leadership.
In the meantime, your thoughts are welcome in the “Comments” section below.
Shepherding Well 