The Problem with Vision Statements
Seeing What We Want to See
These days it is a common for regional offices to request congregations, especially congregations searching for a new pastor, to draft a vision statement.
This is always done by a group. Sometimes a special committee is named.
The problem: groups rarely have vision. Vision is a gift that usually comes to the masses via an extraordinary person. With luck, your local visionary is also a godly person and a communicator with some leadership skills and the ability to work hard. With real fortune, your visionary will be someone people like and will listen to.
If you think this is the job of professional leaders, think again. Pastors are not required to be visionaries. Most aren’t.
This is nothing new. Jesus chose 12 disciples. Only a few, maybe only one — or maybe none — can be said to have been men of vision. Their leadership skills were nurtured and tested over time.
So what happens when congregations draft vision statements.
They end sounding remarkably the same, the better to please regional offices.
We are going to call a dynamic, charismatic pastor. We are going to reach out to the community and they are going to love us and support us.
That’s not vision. It’s wishful thinking.