Without vision people _______________. 

If you’ve spent much time in the church world or read even one organizational leadership book, you can probably fill in the blank. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs  29:18, KJV). This verse gets tagged onto any discussion about the importance of vision in leadership books, boardrooms, and weekend church services to set up building programs, ministry initiatives, and next-level growth strategies. Who knew Old Testament Wisdom literature had so much to say about twenty-first-century church growth efforts! A closer look at the often-used passage may give us a better indication of what biblical vision looks like.

The word vision is more accurately translated “prophetic revelation,” and the term perish is more accurately “cast off restraint.” Meaning, without prophetic leadership calling people to holiness and obedience to God’s Word, then people will give themselves over to their own sinful desires. In fact the rest of the verse adds much-needed context, “but blessed is he who keeps the law” (ESV). Read this way, it doesn’t fit quite as easily into a sermon on building expansion or multisite strategies. It does however make the case for the necessity of vision in leadership.

Vision is without question one of the most important aspects of a healthy and growing church. 

Our churches are desperate for prophetic revelation, biblical leadership, and vision that unites the communities of faith around true transformational pursuits such as justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8). This kind of vision stands the best chance of addressing the problems of our day, creating meaningful change, and fostering spiritual growth. When leaders cast vision like this, church growth will result as a natural byproduct.

Biblical vision . . .

(1) Solves problems, meets needs, and seizes opportunities. Biblical vision will answer the cries of people in the community who are hurting, in need, and desperate for hope. It arises out of the people of God seeking the will of God, and themselves becoming the solution to the problems and injustices that exist around them. Leaders would do well to discover the problems, needs, and opportunities that exist in their community and rally the community of faith to solve the problems, meet the needs, and seize the God-given opportunities He’s placed in front of them. Vision cannot be random, self-serving, or disconnected from the reality of the people outside the walls of the church.

(2) Starts with listening before talking. So much of the focus on vision is on vision “casting,” but there needs to be a greater emphasis on vision “listening.” Biblical vision is about seeing as God sees and going the direction He wants us to go. Leaders must understand that they have to make plenty of time to listen, and continue listening even when they think they have everything needed for Vision Sunday. In addition to listening to God and the leading of the Holy Spirit, church leaders need to make time to listen to those around them, especially community leaders who are not in the church. What do they say the community needs are? What are the biggest issues on their radar? What are the injustices the church could address from their perspective? The vision for the church does not rest in the hands of city leaders, but their perspective becomes invaluable as leaders listen well to those around them.

(3) Should be a corporate process, not an individual exercise. As a pastor I felt enormous pressure to “come up with” the vision for the church. While the role of the lead pastor as a prophetic voice should not be understated, the community of faith should play an important role in creating the preferred future. People buy into what they help create, and corporate prayer, fasting, and listening will create a deeper and more meaningful vision where people can more easily see the part they will play in the life of the church.

(4) Unifies the community of faith. One of the most powerful aspects of biblical vision is the way it unifies the spiritual community. Vision creates energy, momentum, and growth both deep and wide. As people seek to follow God, live righteously, and serve faithfully the church takes on an attractive and dynamic quality. Visionary leaders create this culture by developing a common language, using common symbols, and sharing common stories that reflect the unique expression of God’s vision for their church.

Vision is without question one of the most important aspects of a healthy and growing church. Thoughtful leaders will understand the power of true biblical vision as prophetic revelation for their churches in how they live and serve God, and meet the needs of those around them. Simply put, vision is about obedience and reflecting the heart of God to those around us.