The following blog post was originally written for the student ministry staff that I currently lead at my church. It has been modified to fit a wider audience. The ideas came from the book Leading Not Normal Volunteers: A Not Normal Guide for Leading Your Incredible, Quirky Team by Sue Miller and Adam Duckworth. If you’re interested in purchasing the book you can find it here.
One of the most difficult things about leading a ministry at a multi site church or a growing organization is that the vision can get watered down. With so many hands, hearts and minds involved under the same banner, the original intent of a ministry or company can get lost. Good vision is clear and never up for interpretation. When communicated effectively it can change the identity of a people and can open up the floodgates for people to take steps to grow personally and progress practically. When communicated poorly and with a lack of clarity the vision can be damaging to the organization and lead to the burnout of people because of perceived expectations.
So how do we cast the vision effectively?
We answer three questions that are outlined in the book Leading Not Normal Volunteers: A Not Normal Guide for Leading Your Incredible, Quirky Team by Sue Miller and Adam Duckworth.
Understand – What problem are we trying to solve?
Vision is not casted out of perfection. Vision comes to life because there are problems to be solved, and people to be loved and served. Vision is the beginning of the answer to that problem. Identify the issue, call it out and make it clear what needs to change.
Activate – What can one person do to help you solve your problem?
The problem has been identified and communicated. Now it is time to connect the person to the problem. People will not be drawn to your vision if they cannot play a part in it. Show them how they can be part of the solution and the story. Anyone you recruit can join in. Whether their role is large or small, each person that joins in on the mission takes us a step closer to execution of the vision.
Communicate – What is going to be better in the future if we can accomplish the vision?
Now that the problem has been identified and the person has been encouraged to join the fight, where do you see the rest of the story going? People aren’t recruited to help the organization take a step back. People are recruited to take a step forward. Explain what success looks like from the smallest step to the biggest step. Keep it in stages. Point to an ultimate goal while celebrating small wins along the way.
Effect leaders cast and communicate clear and effective vision. It is part of the job. So practice the vision. Use the right words. Show your passion. Nail it down. Have it in your back pocket and ready to go because you never know when you will meet someone that needs to hear it.
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
– Proverbs 29:18 KJV
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