Vision is a key element to growth in the local church. However, vision is often confused with mission, indeed some use the terms interchangeably. Keep in mind that ones vision stems from their mission. Your vision is a short, punchy statement of the strategy regarding a particular church’s calling. On the other hand, mission is a philosophic and general statement regarding the key ministry objectives of the body. 

While mission is important, vision is used to identify the church, to market the church, and to set the general tone within the church.  It is also used to guide the staff and committees into what is and what is not consistent with the purposes of the church’s existence.

 Few churches today have either an articulated vision or a written mission statement.  Studies done by Regent University reveal that 80% of the Protestant churches are dying due to a lack of vision - hence, a lack of direction or purpose.  These studies have shown vision to be the most fundamental element in a church’s growth. 

Churches without a vision are floundering around without any direction or purpose and are going absolutely nowhere.  Proverbs 29:18 reminds us that, “Where there is no vision the people perish.”  What is often overlooked is that this Proverb applies equally well to churches. Here are three distinct characteristics of a good church vision:

 1. An effective vision statement should be unique (or specific) to a given body of believers. 

Each local church has been established by God with a distinct job to do within the universal Church. You are not called to emulate the work of another body. Find your vision and it will work. God guarantees it.

 2. A vision should coincide with the giftedness of the people who are in that local body. 

It is an absolute must that the vision statement focuses on the God-given strengths of a congregation.  It should not be considered an accident that a particular church has been an abundance of some gifts and a dearth of others.  God has provided the “tools” for a local church to accomplish the vision God has for that church within its environment or sphere of influence.  The job of the local church is to hear and recognize God’s calling for them.

3.  An effective vision statement should clearly define the church’s target audience group.

This is determined not only by demographics, but also by the history, theological purpose, and strengths of the local body.  Many people are reluctant to define a target audience because they fear they will drive people away.  However, the notion that concentrating on one group will drive away all the other groups has proven to be false.  Most churches do not have the money nor the people resources to concentrate on too many (and too varied) “catch-all” programs.

In Conclusion

An effective vision statement should be stated in one fairly short sentence.  This is important because the vision of the church must be marketed both within the church and within the community served by the church.  As unspiritual as that may sound to some, it is a truth that no matter how good a product is, it will not make an impact on the consumer until they know about it. 

Do you have a vision for your church? Can it be easily articulated by those who attend? Hopefully so. It's time most churches and pastors revisit their vision and retool for greater effectiveness.

Doco