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CALAM Training

11-12 November 2007

David Loder

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Just for starters . . .

DAVID

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riven

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Some “vision” verses:• Genesis 12:1-3• Exodus 3:1-10• Joshua 1:1-5• Nehemiah 2:12• 1 Samuel 17:34-37, 45-48• Isaiah 6:1-13• Luke 4:18-19• Acts 1:4-8• Plus many more . . .

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Where we’re going . . .

• Why vision?• What is vision?• Component parts of vision• Personal vision• Corporate vision• Implementing vision

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Times

•Friday: 7.00 – 10.00 pm•Saturday: 9.30 am – 4.30

pm

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Why Vision?

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“We concluded that the critical issue is not whether a company has the ‘right’ core ideology or a ‘likeable’ core ideology but rather whether it has a core ideology –likable or not – that gives guidance and inspiration to people inside that company.”

(Collins & Porras: BUILT TO LAST p68)

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“Well-being” for Australians

• Something to do• Someone to love• Something to look forward to

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“Well-being” for Australians

• Something to do - Faith• Someone to love - Love• Something to look forward to –

Hope

Vision = Hope!

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What is Vision?

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What is vision?

• How would you define vision?• What do you think of these

definitions?Which one is your favourite? Why?What aspects of these statements

do you agree/disagree with?

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The “VISION” Verse:Proverbs 29:18• Where there is no vision (Heb = khazon),

the people perish (KJV)• Where there is no revelation, the people

cast off restraint (NIV)• Where there is no vision, the people run

wild (Modern Language)• Where there is ignorance of God, the

people run wild (Living Bible)• Where there is no prophecy the people

cast off restraint (RSV)• Where there is no prophetic vision the

people cast off restraint (ESV)

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Vision defined:“Vision for ministry is a clear

mental image of a preferred future, imparted by God to His chosen

servants and is based on an accurate understanding of God,

self and circumstances.” (George Barna: THE POWER OF VISION)

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Component Parts of Vision

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The Package: (Stevens & Morgan SIMPLY STRATEGIC

STUFF)

• Our purposes: These communicate why every church exists

• Our mission statement: This communicate specifically why our church exists

• Our vision statement: This paints a picture of how our church will look in five years

• Our values: This states how we’ll live together as we accomplish our mission

• Our statement of faith: This communicates the doctrinal essentials that hold us together

• Our goals: These are written annually to focus our energy on certain areas

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Vision defined:“Vision for ministry is a clear

mental image of a preferred future, imparted by God to His chosen

servants and is based on an accurate understanding of God,

self and circumstances.” (George Barna: THE POWER OF VISION)

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Component parts:

1. Clear mental image2. Preferable change3. A future focus4. Imparted by God5. A chosen leader

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Capturing God’s Vision

• Know yourself• Know your ministry environment• Know God• Know objective wisdom

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Personal Vision

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Component Parts:Luke 2:52 “And Jesus grew in wisdom1 and stature2, and in favour with God3 and men4.”1.Mentally2.Physically3.Spiritually4.Relationally

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Articulating personal vision

• Pray – for God to reveal Himself• Think big!• Consult – others, tests etc• Develop – a 1 or 2 sentence

statement• Live – according to your vision• Evaluate – life’s choices according

to your vision

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Some personal questions:1. Things I really enjoy doing2. What brings me happiness/joy?3. Three things I’d do if I knew I couldn’t

fail4. Issues or causes I care deeply about5. My most important values6. Things I can do at the good-to-

excellent level7. What I’d like to stop doing or do as

little as possible

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Corporate Vision

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“All men dream; but not equally.Those who dream by night in the dusty

recesses of their mindsAwake to find that it was vanity;

But the dreamers of day are dangerous men,

That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible.”

(Quoted in LEADERS, THE STRATEGIES FOR TAKING CHARGE, Bennis & Nunis)

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Dreams are Dreams are cheapcheap

butbut

Vision comes at a Vision comes at a price!price!

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Principles

• Arises through prayer and has been bathed in prayer.

• Creates a sense of desire and builds commitment.

• Expresses God's challenge to the church. • Brings the ideal (God’s) future into the

present. • Is an expression of faith, hope and love. • Is in line with the church’s/group’s values.

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Process . . . 1. We listen to God (discernment)2. We listen to each other (workshop)3. We listen to our ministry area

(demographics)4. We explore the “possibles” (lateral

thinking)5. We list the “probables” (strategic

planning)6. We clarify the vision (focus)7. We acknowledge the challenges (testers)8. We live by faith (intentional living)

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The # 1 Question!

Everything we do is about . . .

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Sample vision statements• “One church, one village, one

generation”• “A great commitment to the Great

Commandment and the Great commission will create a Great Church”

• “200 by 2000”• “Committed to growing in Christ;

committed to going for Christ”• “Growing healthy churches”• “More people, bowling more often,

having more fun.”

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The Test of Vision:

• Will the vision produce results of beneficial permanence?

• Will the vision move people towards goals that fulfil their real needs?

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Implementing Vision

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Video: “Casting a Courageous Vision”

• Were the component parts present?• To what extent were you motivated?• How much “risk” was in the vision?• What other questions are you asking?• List up to five points/lessons that

impacted you• Other comments?

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Lessons learned from the Video

1. Clarity brings understanding to the vision

2. Connectedness brings past, present & future together

3. Purpose brings direction to the vision4. Goals bring target to the vision5. Honesty brings integrity to the vision

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6. Stories bring relationships to the vision7. Challenge brings stretching to the

vision8. Passion & conviction bring fuel to the

vision9. Re-positioning brings change to the

vision10.Urgency brings intensity to the vision11.Modelling12.Strategy brings process to the vision

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Other “Stuff”

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Assessment• Part A Write up a personal vision

statement.• Part B Develop a dot-point list of key

insights gleaned from the set readings.• Part C either/orWrite out a process of developing a vision

for your ministry group and document the beginning stages of its implementation

OR

Choose a vision for a group. Evaluate the process for forming the vision, its implementation and its effectiveness.

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Bibliography• Barna: LEADERS ON LEADERSHIP• Barna THE POWER OF VISION• Blackaby: SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP• Leadership: COURSE READINGS (Various authors)• Malphurs: DEVELOPING A VISION FOR

MINISTRY• Maxwell: DEVELOPING THE LEADER WITHIN

YOU• Maxwell: QUALITIES OF A LEADER• Shawchuck & Heuser LEADING THE

CONGREGATION• Stanley: VISIONEERING

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Contact:

davidl@qb.com.au