Vision and Leadership

I had the privilege of spending the whole day on Saturday with the Women Leaders of the Vineyard Church.  We dined, we made pizza, we had coffee, we sang, we watched a film at Zinema...it was a FUN day!  Additionally, we cast vision for the future, but not before talking about what vision means.  I loved the outline Jordan gave us for recognizing Godly vision.  I think it applies beyond the perimeter of ministry, so I thought I'd share it with you.  Has God given you vision for your job?  Your family?  Your education? 

1.  It's Clear.  When we have refined vision, we understand it clearly and the people following us can articulate it as well.

2.  It's Challenging.  It calls yourself and others to rise to the occasion.  One of the biggest defeaters of momentum is a vision that is too small or requires too little commitment.  We want something worth investing our lives into.

3.  It's Possible.  It's actually attainable, though not without hard work and sacrifice.  There is authentic possibility in it.

4.  It Consists of a Mental Picture.  It lodges into our minds and the people we share it with.  It is connected to compelling images and memories.  You can describe what it looks like.

5.  It Relates to the Future.  The vision talks about what could be, even if the present reality isn't.

6.  It Carries a Sense of Urgency.  When you have a vision, it's always tagged with "this has got to happen!"

Vision is the most important commodity that you can have as a leader.  Without vision there is fear, insecurity, misdirection, aimlessness and lack of purpose.  Without vision there is no leadership."