One of the questions that is often asked of me by pastors, church leaders, and corporate leaders is, “Where do you get your vision?”
My answer usually seems to frustrate them because…well…it’s simple. Leadership (and vision) is as easy as listening to God.
- Vision does not come through a committee. Good ideas may come that way. Much needed discussion may come out of a meeting like that…but not vision.
- Vision does not come through a conference. You may get INSPIRATION…but not REVELATION. I think of of the sad things in conference world today is pastors will attend a conference, go home & then try to be EVERYTHING except for what God called them to be.
- Vision does not come out of books. Once again–excellent ideas do. Wisdom comes from reading. You can seriously be challenged and stretched by reading…but vision isn’t in the pages of the next best seller.
- Vision does not come from trying to repeat what has been successful in the past…that’s not vision, that’s the leader being a victim of previous success.
- I still say that passionate, white hot, hell charging, world changing & people inspiring vision comes from intentional and uninterrupted time with Jesus…in HIS Word, seeking HIS face through prayers–staying connected with HIS Holy Spirit throughout the day.
So when people ask me, “Where do you get your vision?” My answer is always the time…I meet with God & I don’t move until He tells me to move…but WHEN He tells me to move I go until He tells me to stop.
Leadership is as easy as listening to God. I always advise pastors and church leaders to get on their face and stay there until God says otherwise. I have NEVER made a bad or wrong decision when I clearly heard from God and followed–EVER!
So how do you know when your vision is from God? Next post…
You’re bowling down my lane with this one Pastor…love it!
I’m not a Pastor, but I definitely consider myself a visionary leader. I know that my vision is from God when it is something that I DIDN’T THINK OF and it’s backed by the word. He’ll usually give me a quick layout and then provisions and helpers start to fall in my lap.
I check myself whenever I start putting Keisha “Kitten” Isaacs ideas into the LYLAS 4 Life Ministries, because then it’s not a Godly vision, but rather my vision…..prayer is necessary to be a visionary leader that is led by God.
It just makes sense to follow God’s lead since he knows all and sees all…past…present…and future.
Ahh, spoken like a Pastor. That’s good. I totally think the vision from all pastors should come from God. Too bad it doesn’t. I remember speaking to a pastor of a church I won’t mention. He currently has about 7500 people that attend his church and he’s a young guy, I think just turning 40. He had absolutely no idea where his ministry was going on a long or short term basis. When we sat down to chat, he literally laid out some ideas he had on a napkin using a pen to illustrate his point. I said to myself, “wow!” A clear case of indirect, unconnected ideas, that lacked major support and VISION.
Interesting though, I don’t think all vision comes from God. Since being able to sit at the table and join in collaborations with CEO’s, VP’s, and other key players in the Corporate America game, it’s interesting. I’ve seen some great vision created and I have to say, God was no where in the picture. He should have been…but, didn’t remember seeing him come in the room.