The vision should center on the Great Commission. It should be a brief phrase, summarized by a few (three?) words. It should either directly state or closely align with the words "Make disciples of all nations" and have the fragrance of multiplication. An irresistible vision consists of the following.
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
1. Share it right away.
Vision sharing should begin right after guided prayer (which concludes Inspiring Praise). 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…"
The vision statement should be displayed on a screen and placed in a handout. Consider putting it at the top of the message notes each week. This will tie the overall vision into each message.
The vision statement should be displayed on a screen and placed in a handout. Consider putting it at the top of the message notes each week. This will tie the overall vision into each message.
2. Share it simply.
There are three elements to a healthy vision: the statement itself, a simple strategy, and specific examples. Developing a vision statement should not be a complicated process. The church does not have to search for its purpose. It just needs to carry it out. The Great Commission states it.
Sharing the vision statement should be simple and straightforward. Many churches use the phrase, "We exist to glorify God by making disciples of all nations." First, this identifies you as a Great Commission church. Second, it covers the vision (glorify God), the mission (make disciples), and scope (of all nations) of every church. The vision statement should be stated so often (each week) and be so memorable; the congregation should be able to complete it.
Follow up the vision statement with a simple phrase that describes the strategy. For instance, "We carry out our vision with a strategy that is summarized by the three words, Gather, Grow and Go." Some add, "We Gather in, Grow up and Go out." A tree is a good symbol for this.
When the occasion arises, give a specific example. Focus on one aspect of Gather (prayer or celebration services), Grow (ministry teams or small groups) or Go (local or global disciple-making teams, or school, or church planting). Do this when inviting people to take part in one of these specific ministries.
Resource:
Sharing the vision statement should be simple and straightforward. Many churches use the phrase, "We exist to glorify God by making disciples of all nations." First, this identifies you as a Great Commission church. Second, it covers the vision (glorify God), the mission (make disciples), and scope (of all nations) of every church. The vision statement should be stated so often (each week) and be so memorable; the congregation should be able to complete it.
Follow up the vision statement with a simple phrase that describes the strategy. For instance, "We carry out our vision with a strategy that is summarized by the three words, Gather, Grow and Go." Some add, "We Gather in, Grow up and Go out." A tree is a good symbol for this.
When the occasion arises, give a specific example. Focus on one aspect of Gather (prayer or celebration services), Grow (ministry teams or small groups) or Go (local or global disciple-making teams, or school, or church planting). Do this when inviting people to take part in one of these specific ministries.
Resource:
- View The Big Picture (see all the elements tied together)
3. Share it in multiple formats.
Make sure people encounter it several times at the celebration services. Put it in the bulletin, on the screen (before and after services), and 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 it on the landing page and navigate through the site based on the vision words.
4. Share it each week.
Every celebration service should share the vision. 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 is Mr. and Mrs. Smith…."
6. 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 should involve the congregation. It should be first-person. It is inspiring for laypeople to hear the staff share stories of how they are actively carrying out the vision in their own lives.
7. 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 presentation and is brief, concise, upbeat, encouraging, passionate, genuine, and winsome. The MCs may be a separate Ministry Team.
8. Share it invitingly.
Use it as a trailhead 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 can be relocated or minimized.
Announcements.
Many churches are no longer making announcements during the service. Instead, they appear in a printed or electronic 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 a printed or electronic 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 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 one. There are several reasons for considering a plate-less offering.
Consider a plate-less offering. Many churches have moved this direction. Designate offering 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 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 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.
- It removes the awkwardness newcomers feel about the offering. There is no need to explain each week that it’s not for them.
- 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 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.
Provide multiple online giving opportunities. Facilitate text giving and online giving by providing numbers and websites. Remember, the offering plate was 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 preference.
Generate a list of 52 verses about giving. Incorporate a different one each week in your information about giving. Don't teach on it; just share it. Let God's word compel people to give.
Generate a list of 52 verses about giving. Incorporate a different one each week in your information about giving. Don't teach on it; just share it. Let God's word compel people to give.