Getting Unstuck: Turning Vision into Results

Note: Part 3 of 4 in a series on “Getting Unstuck.” Perhaps you have a clear, shared, and compelling vision, but you’re not seeing the momentum or results that you expected. Does that mean the vision is “wrong”? While lack of progress may point to a problem with the vision, it more frequently points to confusion about the visionpath. If vision describes “where we are going,” visionpath describes “how we will get there.” The ministry world is often full of vision but deficient when it comes to developing a visionpath. Churches and other Christian organizations fall into one of two fatal visionpath traps. The first is producing a mind-numbing list of new initiatives in response to the vision. This approach spares the leaders from making hard choices about priorities in which they must choose to implement certain plans ahead of others. The end result is that nothing happens because the organization is overwhelmed, is incapable of doing all that is required, and doesn’t know how to allocate resources. The second common problem is a complete lack of a visionpath. This often happens when a charismatic, visionary leader pronounces victory upon articulation of the vision. This leader tends to think the vision statement is all that is needed and that everyone will “get it.” But when he or she leaves the room, the rest of the troops look at each other with puzzled expressions and ask, “Now what?” They aren’t sure how to translate a motivating slogan into concrete plans. The best visions are linked with visionpaths that are practical and feasible. Ministry leaders must be realistic about the human and financial resources that they have to work with. (This doesn’t mean that God is left out at this point.) A visionpath should describe who is responsible for an initiative, what is being done, and when it will be completed. When this happens, your ministry should be well on the road to getting unstuck. If not, the next blog will deal with a final obstacle to consider – divisions in the team.]]>