The Book of Nehemiah is an incredible story in the life of the Jewish people, but it’s also an amazing profile of change-making leadership. From an intimate relationship with the Lord, Nehemiah was able to see the desperate needs around him, cast a compelling vision, and lead inspired work. All of that led to a special revelation of the glory of God.

Are you a change-making leader? The essence of leadership is inspiring others to follow. Whether it’s revitalizing an existing church or planting a new one, we must have a clear vision and effective teamwork to make the change God is calling us to make.

As we move forward in the story of Nehemiah, let’s take a look at how he rallied support for the work in front of him.

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work” (Nehemiah 2:17-18).

The response of the people to Nehemiah’s vision was immediate. They said, “Let’s do this; let’s rise up and build!”

Nehemiah had seen the damage firsthand, but the people had lived with it for years and years. It took a compelling vision to spur action.

When we decide to make changes in our world to reveal God’s glory, we begin with a compelling vision. Here are the hallmarks of a compelling vision that ignites change-making leadership.

1. It Arises Out of Desperate Need
Nehemiah had heard the report of damaged walls and a broken city. He could not ignore the desperate need before him. But instead of leading him to despair, it spurred a vision within him.

What desperate needs are all around you that you just can’t ignore anymore? Did you know that 43 percent of people in America are unchurched?

I firmly believe that the Church is God’s plan to reveal His glory and see people changed. But 80 percent of churches are in decline, and 70 percent of churchgoers say their church doesn’t meet their needs. We can no longer shut our eyes and close our hearts to the pain around us.

Change-making leadership addresses those desperate needs by reigniting stagnant churches, driving new ministries in dying neighborhoods, and empowering new church planters to go where no one has yet gone. The name of the Lord is at stake in our neighborhoods and churches.

2. It Involves Careful Evaluation
Before casting his compelling vision, Nehemiah did his homework. He carefully evaluated the situation, examining all the damage to the walls and taking his time surveying the entire community (Nehemiah 2:11-15). He was able to see for himself the full extent of the need before calling the people to action.

We can no longer shut our eyes and close our hearts to the pain around us.

Years ago, when I led a church start in Mesquite, Texas, we did virtually the same thing. It’s tempting when starting a new work to jump out of the shoot, full of passion and energy. But the right move is to go to school on the needs in a community.

We started by leading a listening tour of the city, visiting local civic leaders, nonprofits, school teachers and administrators. We heard the stories of the people in the city, and it changed our approach and guided our hearts. After carefully studying the demographics, we saw the desperate needs begin to emerge.

For instance, we discovered that the divorce rate was high, poverty was on the rise, and access to good education was a persistent challenge. Add to that a broken system of community groups, and our vision began to take shape. Evaluating the system prepared us for vision casting.

3. It Sees Where God Is Already at Work
A big part of Nehemiah’s draw as a change-making leader was the evidence of God’s work in his life. God had moved in Nehemiah’s heart to respond to desperate need. But He had also directed the resources of the king to fund His plan. It was evident that God’s favor would be there because His hand already was.

Where is God already at work in your life? It may be a specific skill or discipline He has been forming in you that perfectly meets a need in your neighborhood. Or it may be some group in your community that is already in tune with God and working to meet that desperate need.

Don’t overlook how God is moving in the present and rush ahead to how He could move in the future. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. And the work He will do through you is the same work He has been doing all along.

4. It Requires Courageous Leadership
It took boldness for Nehemiah to lay out his vision and challenge the people of Jerusalem. Sure, he was a Jew just like them, but he was also an outsider, raised in exile and serving a foreign king. Would they even be willing to hear him out? And if they gave him an audience, there was no guarantee they would respond.

But they did respond! They wholeheartedly agreed to take action, follow the vision and begin rebuilding the walls. Their willingness arose, in part, from their recognition of Nehemiah’s proven leadership. But it was also in response to his courage.

To become a change-making leader, you must step out. It takes confidence in the abilities God has given you and a willingness to stand behind the vision the Holy Spirit has imparted to you. In what area is God asking you to make a bold move? What desperate need can your church meet by being courageous?

I believe God wants to do something amazing in your community through your church. I know this is true because He desires to reveal His glory to all of His people. Casting a compelling vision allows people to commit to an inspired work. But more than that, it provides an atmosphere for God to be glorified in the hearts and lives of people.

See also Part 1 in this series.