Do you have a Vision for 2012?
for FCA Meeting Jan. 10, 2012
Questions to ponder and think about as we prepare and plan for the New Year of 2012: Do you have a vision for your ministry, church or even life? Have you clarified it – processed it and dialogued about it? Have you created a plan for it?
Andy Stanley states in his book “Visioneering” the following about vision:
Vision evokes emotion. There is no such thing as an emotionless vision.
Vision provides motivation. Vision –driven people are motivated people.
Maybe the most practical advantage of vision is it sets the direction for our lives – (and Ministry)!
Vision translates into purpose.
Visions are born in the soul of a man or woman who is consumed with the tension between what is and what could be.
God births visions within us and for our ministries.
Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who is at work in you, both to and to work for His good pleasure.”
God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life and ministry.
Do you know what it is?
Do you have a plan?
20 Building Blocks to “visoneering” a vision for 2012 from Andy Stanley:
1. A vision begins as a concern.
2. A vision does not necessarily require immediate action.
3. Pray for opportunities and plan as if you expect God to answer your prayers.
4. God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish his vision for your life.
5. What God originates, he orchestrates.
6. Walk before you talk, investigate before you initiate.
7. Communicate your vision as a solution to a problem that must be addressed immediately.
8. Cast your vision to the appropriate people at the appropriate time.
9. Don’t expect others to take greater risks or make greater sacrifices than you.
10. Don’t confuse your plans with God’s vision.
11. Visions are refined-they don’t change; plans are revised-they rarely stay the same.
12. Respond to criticism with prayer, remembrance, and if necessary, a revision of the plan.
13. Visions thrive in an environment of unity; they die in an environment of division.
14. Abandon the vision before you abandon your moral authority.
15. Don’t get distracted.
16. There is divine potential in all you envision to do.
17. The end of a God ordained vision is God.
18. Maintaining a vision requires adherence to a set of core beliefs and behaviors.
19. Visions require constant attention.
20. Maintaining a vision requires bold leadership.
Project #1: Getting a grip on a vision for 2012:
1. You have multiple visions for your life. Some are clearer than others. To begin clarifying what you believe your future should hold, write a one-sentence summary of how you believe life ought to be in the following areas. In other words, describe your preferred future.
a. Current career position: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Finances: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. Family: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. Your ministry: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Visions are often born in the soul of a man or woman who is gripped by a tension between what is and what should be. Are you gripped by a particular tension? If so, take a minute to describe your dilemma.
a. What’s bothering you? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. What is the solution? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Have any burdens begun to feel like moral imperatives?
a. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Do you see a connection between your various visions and what God is up to in this world? Describe the connection. How does your picture of a preferred future support God’s providential will?
a. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What opportunities or burdens do you need to begin praying for?
a. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Who are the people who could help you accomplish your vision?
a. _________________________________________
b. _________________________________________
c. _________________________________________
7. What changes would need to take place in their thinking in order for them to support your effort?
a. ________________________________________
b. ________________________________________
c. _______________________________________
8. The four components of an effective vision:
a. The problem – define it: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. The solution – describe it: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. The reason something must be done – own it: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. The reason something must be done now – do it: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Write a simple 4 step plan to start going after your God given vision:
a. Step 1: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Step 2: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. Step 3: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. Step 4: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. What can you do now -today?
a. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Take the time and get clarity on your vision from God! Then go for it!