How To Keep A New Vision Alive

Vision is leaky! Aligning a church around a new vision can feel like blowing air into a balloon that has a pinprick in the other end. The work is never done!

Discerning a new vision is only the first step; getting it to take root requires constant reinforcement. People need to hear it over and over again — some studies suggest at least seven times — before it sticks. And as new people join your church, you will need a process to integrate them into this vision from the start.

For leaders, this process will feel repetitive — even tedious. You will find yourself saying the same thing in the same way, week after week. Just when it feels like you may be overdoing it, that’s often when people are finally starting to get it!

Keeping a vision alive takes effort, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Below are five key areas that need ongoing attention.

Ongoing vision casting in church renewal

Worship: Reinforcing the vision every week

The weekly worship gathering is a perfect place to reach the majority of your congregation. Can elements of your church’s mission, vision, or strategy be woven into your welcome each week? Can they be part of the benediction, sending people out with a renewed sense of purpose?
Remember that you may have guests present who know very little about your church. This perspective will help you explain the mission in a clear and compelling way that makes sense to everyone.

Preaching: Teaching vision through scripture

Many churches set aside a few weeks each year to recasting the vision of the church — grounding it in Scripture and explaining why the church approaches ministry the way it does.
In an ongoing way, pastors can also incorporate the broad themes of the church’s mission into their sermon illustrations, applications, etc.

Communications: Telling the right stories

Newsletters, bulletins, blogs, and social media are powerful tools if you use them wisely. The most effective way to communicate vision through them isn’t through a long list of announcements but through compelling storytelling!
It is easy to fill communication channels with a list of events and insider language. But real impact comes when you share stories of life change — examples of how your mission is making a difference. Stories inspire, unify, and make the mission come alive in people’s hearts and minds!

Staff: Keeping leaders focused on the “why”

Even among staff members, vision leaks. Ministry work can easily become about the tasks rather than the mission. When the “what” overshadows the “why,” burnout is right around the corner.
Start staff meetings with a celebration of “wins” that connect directly to the church’s mission and vision? Create a strong onboarding process for new staff members so they see the big picture from day one. When the staff is aligned, the church stays aligned.

Council: Equipping key leaders

Your governing board is made up of your most active and committed members, but even they can lose sight of the vision. If strategies have shifted since last time they served, they may default to old ways. If they are coming from another church, they may unconsciously bring that church’s vision with them.
Elders and deacons need a good onboarding process too. Consider holding an annual retreat to cast vision, reinforce strategy, and clarify roles.