The
Power Of Vision
What motivates people?
To leaders this is a big question. Psychological, sociological, and
even spiritual factors contribute to motivation. Both intrinsic and
extrinsic elements are involved. Tom Landry, one of football's outstanding
coaches, said, "Leadership is the ability to get people to do what they
don't want to do so they can become what they want to become."
The power of vision motivates! It motivates a mountain climber to brave
cruel winds and dangerous trails to reach the summit. The power of vision
motivated the Wright brothers to overcome disappointment and failure
and build a flying machine. It motivated a small, unrefined, motley
group of 12 men to change the world. They caught the vision of their
leader, Jesus, and set the whole course of history.
Your vision as a leader has significant impact on the growth and effectiveness
of your church and Sunday school. A leader's vision is powerful, and
a lack of vision is perilous. Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no
vision, the people perish."
How Does Vision Influence the Leader?
Vision first influences the leader personally by giving him direction.
He listens to the Holy Spirit, evaluates the situation, and knows what
is needed or desired.
The pastor with a clear sense of direction who is able to articulate
it will find his congregation's motivation high. The Sunday school superintendent
who has received direction from the Lord and has charted a course will
inspire the entire Sunday school.
Unless you know where you are going, how you are going to get there,
and what you want to accomplish, life will become dull and boring. Dennis
Waitly, in Seeds of Greatness, says, "The reason so many individuals
fail to achieve their goals in life is that they never really set them
in the first place." Do you have personal goals for your life? If a
leader's personal life is unorganized arid lacks vision, his public
ministry will be unorganized and ineffective.
Do you have a vision and goals for your Sunday school? Set goals for
starting new classes, starting or increasing staff training, or increasing
enrollment and attendance. Ask yourself, "If our Sunday school could
be anything in the world, what would it be like?" Look at possibilities
rather than limitations. God has a plan for your church and Sunday school,
and He is willing to reveal it to the leader who will seek Him.
The leaders vision gives him a sense of urgency and rightness. This
conviction that his vision is right and urgent dominates his thoughts,
penetrates his emotions, and dictates his actions. The difference between
a leader and a daydreamer is that the leader activates his dreams, while
the daydreamer just thinks about them.
A vision consumes a leader with a sense of responsibility. He assumes
responsibility for the accomplishment of his vision. Although others
may catch his vision, no one will have a more intense passion than he
does. This can be frustrating for the leader, but the key is to work
with people, yet assume the responsibility for accomplishment.
How Does the Leader Share His Vision?
First, start with a clearly defined, communicable goal. For
example, this year we may want to increase enrollment by 35 percent,
or this quarter we want to use a Sunday school campaign to increase
involvement of worship attenders by 15 percent.
Second, brainstorm for ways to accomplish the goal. Involve
others in a planning meeting. Begin to dream with the group. Fantastic
ideas can come out of these interactive times.
Three, establish your strategy. For a goal to be accomplished,
specific steps must be taken. Determine what must be done and in what
order the steps should be completed.
Fourth, set dates. Set your time frame and the dates for each
step to be finished.
Fifth, assign personnel. If your goal is to increase enrollment
by 35 percent, assist each teacher to set an enrollment goal for his
class. If your goal is to increase involvement of worship attenders,
assign names of people to be contacted to individual classes. You might
start a contest and assign a contest chairperson. Utilize the resources
and abilities of people you work with to accomplish what God wants you
to.
Sixth, work your plan. Once you have set your goal, determined
your strategy, and delegated responsibility, get to work. Don't allow
the goal to die on the committee planning table.
Seventh, evaluate the results. Look at both positives and negatives.
Be objective about the success of the task. What needs to be changed,
and what worked very well?
This is a great time to pray and plan for your Sunday school. Seek
the Lord for His vision, then pass it on to those you serve. This will
help your Sunday school be effective and grow. Remember, a powerful
vision has the power to motivate!
