An Irresistible Vision
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?
And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
The vision of the Great Commission Church should be summarized by a brief phrase and a few (three) words. The phrase is the vision and the words are the strategy. For instance, the vision is to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. The strategy is summarized by the three words, Gather, Grow and Go. An irresistible vision consists of the following.
1. Share it right away.
Vision sharing should begin right after guided prayer. 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… We accomplish that by…” “Our purpose is…”
2. Share it simply.
Be clear. State the vision and strategy word for word as people see it. Consider using the phrase; Glorify God by making disciples of all nations and the three words; Gather, Grow and Go.
3. Share it in multiple formats.
Make sure people encounter it several times while at the celebration services. Put it in the bulletin (if you use one), on the screen before and after services and on the walls of the facility. Develop a creative logo that communicates the vision. Just make sure it isn’t mysterious. The website should align with the vision. People should encounter the vision on the landing page and navigate through the website based on the strategy words.
4. Share it each week.
The vision should be shared at every celebration service. It should be part of every gathering event. Don’t skip it or cut it due to time. It’s too important.
5. Share it in measured detail.
For instance; “We exist to Gather, Grow and Go. One way we Grow in through Ministry Teams. Here to talk to us today about their experience on a Ministry Team are Mr. and Mrs. Smith….”
6. Share it creatively.
Land on one area of the vision each week and talk about it in depth. It may be a short video, a live interview or a scripted testimony. They can come from the Sr. Pastor, leaders, staff and should involve congregants. It should be a first-person testimony. Avoid having staff telling others to do what they themselves are not doing.
7. Share it well.
Use someone who is good at being an MC. This should not be the Pastor and not be rotated among the staff by default. This position requires a person who is brief, succinct, upbeat, encouraging, passionate, genuine and winsome. The MCs may be a separate Ministry Team.
8. Share it invitingly.
Use it as a trail head for involvement. Don’t just tell people who you are, invite them to respond. Encourage them to join. An appealing vision prompts listeners to ask, “How do I get involved?” Use the vision time to start a prayer campaign, recruit for Ministry Teams, launch small groups, enlist for disciple making teams or enroll in a Great Commission School.
9. Share it as a priority.
All other informational elements should be relocated or minimized.
Announcements.
Many churches are no longer making announcements during the service. Instead they appear in the bulletin, are displayed before and after the service on video screens and made known between weekend services in several formats (subscription emails, social media, tweets, 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.
Announcements.
Many churches are no longer making announcements during the service. Instead they appear in the bulletin, are displayed before and after the service on video screens and made known between weekend services in several formats (subscription emails, social media, tweets, 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.
Offering.
Consider a plate-less offering. Many churches have moved this direction. Designate offering locations (boxes) where people can make an offering. Be sure to explain this concept in the bulletin if you use one. There are several reasons for considering a plate-less offering.
Provide multiple online giving opportunities from any device. Facilitate text giving and online giving by providing numbers and websites. Provide kiosk(s) in the foyer of the sanctuary. Remember, passing the offering plate was done because there was no other way to give not because it’s written in Scripture. An offering box frees people to give in manner that fits their preference.
Include a Scripture about giving each week during the explanation time and online. Don’t teach on it, just share it. Scriptures that might be used are listed below. We believe it is right for us to make a generous financial gift to God for the following reasons:
Consider a plate-less offering. Many churches have moved this direction. Designate offering locations (boxes) where people can make an offering. Be sure to explain this concept in the bulletin if you use one. There are several reasons for considering a plate-less offering.
- There are no guidelines in the New Testament that dictate how to make contributions.
- It doesn’t lessen 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.
- It removes the awkwardness newcomers feel about the offering. There is no need to explain that it’s not for them each week.
- 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.
- It’s aligned with how people make financial transactions. We are a cashless society. One in five carry a check book and of those who carry cash, most don’t carry more than $20. More people are doing banking online.
Provide multiple online giving opportunities from any device. Facilitate text giving and online giving by providing numbers and websites. Provide kiosk(s) in the foyer of the sanctuary. Remember, passing the offering plate was done because there was no other way to give not because it’s written in Scripture. An offering box frees people to give in manner that fits their preference.
Include a Scripture about giving each week during the explanation time and online. Don’t teach on it, just share it. Scriptures that might be used are listed below. We believe it is right for us to make a generous financial gift to God for the following reasons:
- It’s ties our heart to God.Where your treasure is there also is your heart. Matthew 6:21
- It acknowledges that all we have is from God. It’s a thank-offering. John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 16:2-4,
- It’s a way God can entrust us with more to give. Luke 6:38
- We become a channel for giving. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Luke 16:10
- It allows us to experience the blessing of giving. Acts 20:35
- It supports the ministry of the local Church and helps meet the needs of the global Church. (Romans 15:26)
- It’s a way to practice joyful and personalized giving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:7
- It’s an act of faith to give the first fruits. Proverbs 3:9,10, Matthew 6:31,33
- It is kingdom investment. Matthew 6:19-21