IRRESISTABLE VISION

Vision defines and directs. ​It tells people who you are and where you're headed. It invites them to join. The purpose of the church is to glorify God, by making disciples of all nations. A vision statement should either just restate that statement or be tightly aligned with it. That one statement contains the purpose (glorify God), the mission (make disciples) and the goal (of all nations) of the church. The following are suggested principles for irresistible vision. 

1. Share it weekly. 

Share the vision at every celebration service. It should be part of each gathering event. Don't skip it due to time. It's too important. Vision Time can begin right after Inspiring Praise. Read the last point of Inspiring Praise to learn how Guided Prayer is used to transition to Vision Time. 

​Vision time might start by welcoming people and sound like this, "Greetings, my name is…. I'd like to welcome you to our church. Our vision is..." or "Our strategy is…" or "We exist to…" or "Our purpose is…"

2. Share it through testimonies. 

Disciple making testimonies draw people into the mission. Few things are more captivating than hearing ordinary Christians with no special training (Acts 4:13) sharing their powerful experiences of fulfilling the Great Commission. These types of stories resolve doubts, reduce fears, and encourage involvement. At any given moment there are three types of people in the church; the players on the field, the players on the sidelines and the fans in the stands. Great Commission testimonies move people from the stands to the sidelines and from the sidelines to the field. 

Testimonies can be "open mic" or planned and read. Each has pros and cons. Someone has to monitor the open mic format. The planned and read testimonies require preparation. Regardless of which format you choose, include Great Commission stories in your vision time. 

3. Share it in multiple formats. 

People should encounter the Vision several times at the venue. Put it in the bulletin, on the screen (before and after services), and on the walls of the facility. Develop a logo that communicates the vision. Just make sure it isn't mysterious. The website should align with the vision. People should encounter it on the landing page and navigate through the site based on the vision words. Consider putting it at the top of the message notes each week. 

4. Share it creatively. 

​Land on one area of the vision each week and talk about it. It may be a short video, a live interview, or a scripted story. They can come from the Sr. Pastor, leaders, staff, and the congregation. It should be first-person. It is inspiring for people to hear the staff share stories of how they are actively carrying out the vision in their own lives.

5. Share it well. 

​Use someone good at being an MC. It doesn't have to be the Pastor and should not be rotated among the staff by default. This position requires a person who has an excellent public persona, is concise, upbeat, passionate, and winsome. The MCs may be a separate Ministry Team.

6. Share it invitingly. 

​Use it as an invitation for involvement in ministry. Don't just tell people who you are, invite them to get involved. Encourage them to join. A winsome vision causes listeners to say, "Where do I sign up?" (Isaiah 6:8) Use the vision to get people involved in ministries.

7. Share it as a priority. 

Other informational elements should be relegated to another location. This includes announcements and offerings. 

Announcements. Many churches no longer make announcements during the service. Instead, they appear in a printed or electronic bulletin, or are displayed before and after the service on video screens. They are made known between weekend services in several formats (subscription, email, social media, etc.). Remember, this is vision time, not announcement time. It's not sacrilegious to shift announcements to another source (bulletin, screens, emails, texts, etc.). Doing so enhances the vision.

Consider a plate-less offering. Many churches have moved this direction. Designate locations where people can make an offering. These can be secure, giving boxes, kiosks, or online giving stations. Be sure to explain this concept in the bulletin if you use it. There are several reasons for considering a plate-less offering.

1. There are no guidelines in the New Testament that dictate how to make contributions.
2. It does not reduce the amount collected or the worshipful nature of the offering. People are not less inclined to give generously, and don’t feel as if the act is void of spiritual significance.
3. It removes the awkwardness newcomers feel about the offering. There is no need to explain each week that it’s not for them. 
4. It privatizes giving. There is no longer an uncomfortable scramble to dig out a dollar bill and place it on a plate in full view of others.
5. It aligns with how people make financial transactions. We are a cashless society. One in five carry a checkbook, and of those who do carry cash, research shows most don't have more than $20. Most people bank online and can give via a device.
6. It corresponds to when people make donations. Seasonal givers (like farmers) give at certain times of the year. 

​Provide multiple giving opportunities. Facilitate online giving by providing a number to text, and website locations. Remember, the offering plate was introduced because there was no other way to give not because it's a mandate of Scripture. Plate-less offering frees people to give in a manner that fits their preferences.