Every church needs a vision. How is a vision created? By asking the right questions. Here are some suggestions:
- What are the church’s 5-10-15-20 year trends? This will take some time and research but will provide invaluable data concerning the church’s history and in identifying specific trends.
- What is the church’s current reality? This must be a realistic evaluation. The trend analysis will help.
- Who will make up the visioning team? Must be committed thinkers and doers.
- What will be the process used to create the new vision?
- As a church, what are we supposed to be doing? [this is the mission]
- What are we currently doing? [this is the assessment]
- Why are we doing what we’re doing? [this identifies the church’s values]
- How are we doing? [this is measurement]
- How will we build awareness of the new vision [communicate-communicate]
- How do we create an understanding and commitment to the new vision?
- What questions and concerns can we anticipate?
- How do we create a sense of urgency?
- How do we implement the new vision?
- How will we measure our progress and our success?
- How will we align every area of our church to the new vision?
- What part can each member play in implementing the new vision?