Facing Reality: Blurry Vision

In this series of newsletters, we have been naming six challenges churches today cannot ignore. Today, we’ll turn to the fifth challenge, blurry vision.

• In many churches, pastors, staff members, office-bearers, and volunteers are working harder than ever, but they are not sure if their activities are flowing from a clear mission and vision. Imagine a car with all four wheels pointed in different directions. You won’t make it very far, no matter how hard you press the pedal down!

God can use seasons of tiredness and confusion to call us back to the basics. If you are experiencing frustration over cloudy vision, this may be an invitation from God to slow down, listen well, and seek clarity around God’s unique calling for your church.

• While there is no quick and easy fix, it is possible to get started on the journey to clear vision today. Below are some ideas to help you move from activity to alignment.

Five Ways to Regain Clear Vision

1. Name the Problem out loud

• The first step is simply admitting that you are busy but not sure that all the busyness is bringing results. Start by acknowledging the truth that misalignment brings exhaustion and frustration.
• Give people permission to say, “I’m not sure how all this fits together.” Open to the door to honest evaluation rather than quiet frustration. This will pave the way for the rest of the process.

2. Clarify your core calling together

• Vision does not take root when it is done by a tiny group in a back room and then “announced” to everyone else. Invite the congregation into the process at key moments.
• Ask them questions like: What makes your church unique among churches? Ask them what makes your context unique? What is the intersection point between your church’s gifting and your community’s need? Pray about what you’ve discovered, and distill it down into a clear, simple, memorable phrase people can remember and use.

3. Prioritize ruthlessly (and kindly)

• Once you discern your calling, you will likely discover a tough reality: You are doing more than you can do well, and not all ministries are equally effective at advancing your mission.
• Ask your key leaders this question: If we could only do three things really well in the next three years, what would they be? Which ministries would support those “big three” the most effectively? Which ones do not? As you choose to pause or end historically popular ministries, remember to do so gently and with gratitude, honoring the history of those who have invested in them over the years.

4. Connect every ministry to the mission

• A church-wide mission statement is crucial, but it is only the beginning. Every individual ministry should know how it fits within this mission and how it contributes toward the larger picture.
• Each ministry leader should be able to articulate how their area supports the core mission and what fruitfulness will look like for them over the next year. Record these statements and review them annually to celebrate wins and to ensure ministry teams do not drift into “busyness for its own sake.”.

5. Communicate the “why” over and over again

• Alignment is not a one-time achievement. It is a culture that you build over time by repeating the “why” behind everything you do.
• You can do this in your worship services during sermons, announcements, and prayers that tie what you’re doing to why you’re doing it. When you launch a new ministry, clearly say, “This matters because it helps us accomplish our mission.” When you end or change a program, explain how the mission drove the decision.

If you feel like your church is always running hard but not always sure where it is headed, you are not alone. Many congregations are in a season where activity feels high and clarity feels low. Use this as an opportunity to step back, gain perspective, and ask God for clarity. My prayer is that, as you do this, you will find the joy of discovering and following God’s calling for you!