Making Vision Stick

So I am officially underway with my literature review and thought that this was a good place to start. This little book by Andy Stanley in my opinion is worth it's weight in gold to the pastor of a church. It is short, it is relevant, and it is easy to read.

The premise of the book is the importance to a local church of establishing a vision statement and making sure that the entire congregation, and even community understand what the current vision for the ministry is. What are we about? Where are we going? Who are we targeting?

Stanley says, "One of the greatest challenges of leadership is making vision stick. Vision doesn't have much adhesive. Regardless of how clear I think I've made the vision and in spite of my commitment to repeat it often, someone will inevitably ask a question or offer a suggestion that makes me wonder, 'Where have you been? Have you not been paying attention?'"

As a leader, one may feel that everyone is on the same page as they are. They may continue to do things that speak loudly to those following them that they have a plan. They may even assume that everyone understands what they are trying to accomplish. That does not guarantee that they understand the vision.

There is a major important factor that must be understood. People forget the vision. They must be told clearly and often what the vision is. It is vital that this is accomplished in order to continue achieving the vision.

There are hundreds of churches in this world that open their doors on Sunday morning that do not have a vision. They are open for business and they usually would welcome anyone who chose to worship with them. It is like the old Charlie Brown cartoon where he is shooting arrows blindly in the air, and then he goes and draws the target around the spot where the arrow has landed. Charlie Brown did not really have a target that he was aiming at, and neither do these churches. Those churches typically see little growth and do not have much of a future.

On the other hand, churches who have embraced a vision and who have articulated it well and regularly to their adherents have a much better opportunity to see their church thrive and remain healthy. What is the target? What is the church trying to establish? How is this going to be done? All of those questions can usually be answered by understanding the vision statement of the church.

People get on board with a vision. They give more faithfully of their time, their talent, and their treasure when they understand the vision. People are also more likely to invite their friends and neighbors to a church where they believe in the vision of the church. This allows the church to continue to grow and be healthy. Churches that are committed to making vision stick are a lot more likely to grow than churches that do not.