Vision Essentials 06

Where Are We?

You start out on a journey, fairly confident about where you’re going and having a good idea as to how long it’s going to take.  Although you are armed with the directions and you may have control of your vehicle, you are, however, not entirely sure of what you might encounter on the way.  That is out of your control.  

Many times I have mapped out a route; the computer route planner tells me it will take two and a half hours, and it also cleverly highlights the various attractions and services that are dotted along the route.  “Great I’m on the way”.  But, oops, just a few miles into the journey I find I’m making little headway because of the volume of traffic on the road (I hate traffic jams) or the motorway is jammed owing to an accident or one stretch of the road is closed due to repairs.  I guess we’ve all experienced one or more of those occurrences. When these things happen    

• You take a diversion and follow a different route
• The attractions or services you wanted to use are no longer available
• You don’t get to your destination on time

Monitoring Progress

Vision, by its very nature, is always a ‘work-in-progress’ and therefore must be monitored. Too often leaders move forward with a vision without having in place a mechanism for ensuring the church or organisation they lead stays on track.  Setting goals and targets is crucial (they are the equivalent of what the ‘route planner’ provides – directions, time, attractions and services) but we must have in place systems that will help us to see how far we’ve travelled, identify possible problems, delays, roadblocks etc., and decide what we should do with them.  Leadership is about ‘navigating’ a way through the difficulties so that you get to the end of the journey.   

As you embark on the vision plan it’s more than likely that you’ll have to make adjustments along the way because of unexpected happenings, situations or circumstances.  In dealing with the unexpected you need to be aware of where you are in relation to the vision plan.  If not, you can take a wrong turn, drift off course and ultimately lose your bearing.  If the vision is to succeed effective monitoring must be done – knowing where you are, the distance travelled, the distance you now need to travel to reach the target, the resources you have available, etc.  This will enable you to make any adjustments which need to be made along the way.  Monitoring, with navigation, will inevitably build forward momentum. Vision needs momentum and pressure for it to advance.

Key Points

• Know the goals and outcomes of each phase of the vision plan
  This is vital for monitoring. Goals and targets are part of the process; they are like signposts along the way that tell us where we are. 

• Decide and agree upon the method of monitoring and evaluating progress
  Knowing the method will enable people to gather data in order to be able to evaluate the progress made.  Decide how regularly you will meet with your team and key people to carry this out.
  
• Be willing to take action to ensure forward movement and alignment to vision
  You might have to be ruthless in saying “no” to some things to ensure that the congregation is moving in the right direction.  Recognise when some detail in the plan isn’t working as first thought and have the courage to make changes.  Don’t be inflexible where the plan is concerned.  Having to change aspects of the plan doesn’t make the vision wrong – it simply means you’re navigating your way through problems or unforeseen circumstances.
  
• Celebrate what Yahweh has accomplished through the endeavours of His children at every stage
  Firstly, this lets members know that we’re moving forward, and secondly, with every step there is a need for appreciation and encouragement.  People’s morale and commitment is boosted when there is a genuine sense of achievement. 

“Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.”
JOHN MAXWELL

“You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits.  When we all help one another, everybody wins.”
JIM STOVAL

PHILIPIANS 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which Yahweh in Yahshua is calling us upward.
Amplified Bible

PROVERBS 16:3
Commit your actions to Yahweh, and your plans will succeed.
New Living Translation

HEBREWS 6:1
Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about [the Messiah] and move on to maturity.
NET Bible  

PROVERBS 3:6 
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
Amplified Bible

Father Yahweh, thank you for the privilege of serving you in the work of your kingdom and being called to lead your people. Help me and my colleagues to stay true to the vision you’ve given and not to be deterred by the unexpected. Help us to put into practice the things we’ve learnt about staying on track. Enable us to diligently monitor every aspect of the journey as we endeavour to accomplish the vision. In these dark and tumultuous times, when we don’t know what is around the next corner, give us the courage, the wisdom, and the resources to ensure that in all things we stay aligned with your plans for us. In due time may the members rejoice and be encouraged as they see us moving ever closer to the goal.

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