Vision is Crucial for Leadership
In his book, The Making
of a Leader, Dr. J. Robert Clinton
says, “The central task of leadership is influencing God’s people toward God’s
purposes.”1 Therefore, it can also be said that the central task
of a leader is to effectively influence others towards kingdom thinking,
living, and building. In order for a leader to effectively accomplish this, it
is essential that they have a well-designed philosophy of ministry. A
philosophy of ministry is necessary for anyone who is called to lead God’s
people into worshipping God, strengthening the body, and doing kingdom work
within the world.
A philosophy of ministry
that is well thought out will be one that expresses clear vision, as well as
methods to accomplish that vision. In their book, Spiritual Leadership, Henry and Richard Blackaby declare, “Given the
opportunity, people gravitate to what gives them meaning, to what engages to
the fullest their commitment, talent, energy, and skill.”2 This is the goal of a philosophy of ministry,
guiding people into a meaningful experience with God, which engages a person’s
total commitment, talent, energy, and skill. It short, people want to be a part
of something that is bigger than themselves! People want a vision!
In defining vision, author
and Willow Creek Senior Pastor Bill Hybels states, “I’ve heard dozens of
definitions [of what vision means] and so have you. But my best shot at a crisp
definition is this: Vision is a picture of the future that produces
passion.”3
I wholeheartedly agree with Hybels, there are dozens
of definitions of what vision means, and I believe that his crisp definition
for vision – in regard to the church – is accurate, if the leaders “picture of the future” is eternity, and
the passion that his vision produces in others, is a passion for God and
people.
Hybels considers vision so
important to a leader’s calling that he argues, “Take vision away from a leader
and you cut out his or her heart. Vision is the fuel that leaders run on. It’s
the energy that creates action. It’s the fire that ignites the passion of
followers. It’s the clear call that sustains focused effort year after year,
decade after decade, as people offer consistent and sacrificial service to
God.”4
Vision is at the very core
of a leaders being! It is the very essence that drives them through the course
of their lives, and inspires others to join them on their journey.
The Bible is full of leaders
whom received powerful world changing visions from God. Some examples of this
are Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Other examples are Moses, Aaron,
Joshua, Caleb, Deborah, and Ruth. As well as Isaiah, David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah, A young virgin named Mary, four fishermen from Galilee
whose names were Peter, Andrew, James and John, and countless others.
“It would take too long to
recount the stories” of all of them.5 The Bible seems to indicate that all of these men
and women of God were living for something much bigger than themselves, which
would last much longer than their own lifetime.
This one paramount vision
was the vision that gave them the strength and endurance to continue
passionately pursuing God’s call upon their lives, even in the midst of
horrific suffering and persecutions.6 The Bible tells us that they all “placed their hope
in a better life after the resurrection.”7 This is the vision that I believe God has called all
of us to passionately pursue on a moment-by-moment basis – life after the
resurrection!
1. J. Robert
Clinton. The Making of A Leader (Colorado
Springs, CO: Navpress, 1988), 203.
2. Henry & Richard Blackaby, Spiritual Leadership; Moving People onto God’s
Agenda (Nashville, TN: B&H Books,
2001), 7.
3. Bill Hybels, Courageous Leadership
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 32.
4. Hybels, 31.
5. Hebrews 11:32.
6. cf. Hebrews
11:33-38.
7. Hebrews 11:35.
