Got Vision? – It’s not just for directors!

Vision. We often believe that the Executive Director is the only one that has or should have vision for the ministry. Another false assumption is that vision is only relegated for bigger or more. I would like to suggest (with great emphasis) that vision is a quality that every TC staff member should possess.

I believe we should have vision for our personal lives, our dreams and our goals. I also believe we should have vision for our area of ministry, whether we serve as a teacher, work supervisor, intake supervisor, or any other staff position. By vision, I am referring to any goal or desire to improve, develop, or grow the components of the ministry one is responsible for. We have ideas, or at least a vague frustration that things could and should be better. That is the seed for vision.

I believe most of us do have vision even, though we may not have seen our ideas and desires as vision. We haven’t taken time to define and clarify our frustrations, desires or passions, so we don’t even realize we have a vision. Plus, we believe the false idea that all vision should come from the top down, so I sit and wait on the Director to tell me how he wants things to be different. All the while I just maintain the status quo, yet at the same time knowing that things could be better in my area of ministry.

Clarity is the first step. When my vision is not clear to me personally there is no way I am going to move forward. Start writing. This is a vital part of the process. If you are not sure what your ideas, goals and vision are, start with your frustrations and passions. What do you wish was better? What do you want to see improved? Write them out. Your vision will begin to take shape.

Share your vision. Discuss the needs and vision with other staff members that are associated with the situation. Also, talk to staff members from other centers that have the same responsibilities as you. Most TC staff members are happy to discuss their ideas and the practices of their local center. Keep writing. Write down the information and ideas you gather. This will help to bring more clarity.

Pray. I believe that the vision for growing and improving your area of ministry and the frustration with the status quo is from God. He gives us desires. As you seek Him, He will give you burdens and ideas for your area of ministry. Pray for clarity and direction.

Set goals. Write them down. Summarize the goal in a few words and then explain it in a paragraph. Write down the hurdles you will need to overcome. Hurdles are NOT obstacles blocking your way, merely the challenges you will need to overcome!

Write out a plan of action. Include the burden and the purpose (goal) of the plan. Make a list of the resources you will need. Write out the action steps: 1-2-3. Make it clear and straightforward. Why? Because you will need to communicate your vision to your fellow staff members and to your director, or to potential donors. The more passion and clarity you can bring, the better chance you will have of gaining approval and buy-in from team members and supporters.

Adjust for setbacks. Discouragement can stop us in our tracks if we let it. Don’t let it. Make course changes where necessary and keep moving forward, even if it is just small steps. Persistence will produce a breakthrough.

Example: As a teacher I was frustrated when we were not able to give the students the materials they needed. Workbooks that were meant to be filled in, were handed to the student and they were required to write the answers on their own paper, eventually turning the workbook back in, leaving them with only their personal answers and none of the supporting material for their future reference. I was very frustrated and did not feel this was a best practice.

I wanted to show the student we valued them by placing the materials in their hands for them to keep and use in the future. With patience and clarity we were able to meet the goal of purchasing and giving the students all workbook materials. This is only one small example of the kind of vision I am talking about.

No doubt, the vision and goals you set will require you to step out of your comfort zone: reading, learning new information and developing new skills, and taking steps of faith. It will also require opening yourself up to input, feedback and even criticism from others.

Your vision could be to improve your own teaching or other work-related skills, have more discipleship class time, improve the discipleship component or the work or recreation program. Perhaps it is for new or updated equipment or classroom improvements or for better induction process, better staff communication, or a better student family ministry. There is no end to the potential of your ministries growth and improvement as you attune yourself to the frustrations, needs and weaknesses in your ministry, and listen to the passion and desires in your heart that are born of the Holy Spirit, engage them with vision from the heart of God and move forward to initiate positive change!

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10 NLT

Components of a Vision (From Our Core Values, Nance, page 57):

• A vision features a compelling picture or image of what the organization (or department) can become in the future.
• A vision is feasible and attainable. ·A vision is connected to and articulates deeper values and hopes for the future.
• A vision needs to be translated into actions and plans that can be and are implemented.
• A vision will die if it is not regularly communicated.