by Shawn Lovejoy: Every organization has a vision statement.

Does a well-worded vision statement grow an organization?

Vision statements are a dime a dozen as far as I’m concerned.

At the end of the day, a vision statement is just a statement. It has no life on its own. It cannot, nor will it ever, energize, unify, or align an organization. This task falls to the leader.

A vision statement is only as strong as the leader is. Vision is only as clear as the leader is. Vision is only as compelling as a leader makes it. A vision is stewarded and sustained by a leader.

A vision serves one purpose: It defines why we exist. They answer the question; “Why are we here?” That’s really all we need to know in the beginning. Answer that question first.

The vision is our goal. The vision is our bull’s-eye. Keep it simple. Keeping your organization so focused on the goal that people are willing to sacrifice for it. If we get that right, everything else will fall in place.

Having a vision statement is just a small slice of the pie…

It’s one thing to say we have a vision. It’s another thing to live it out.

I want to help live out your vision statement in a way that brings growth to your organization! How are you going to accomplish your vision? That’s where this new webinar I have put together can help…

Join me on Thursday, November 7th at 2pmCST for “How to Break Your Next Growth Barrier in 90 Days!” This training is absolutely free. All you have to do is register HERE to secure your spot!

register today

talk to a coach

order today

Source: Why Your Vision Statement Is Overrated

The post Why Your Vision Statement Is Overrated appeared first on Passion for Planting.

by Rich Birch: Are you spending too much time making decisions? Are you and your leaders digging deeper into the reasons why you should or should not do something without actually making a decision?

Analysis paralysis is what happens to leaders when we spend too much time thinking and not enough time acting.

Analysis paralysis can impact any organization, and churches are particularly prone to this sort of non-action because the stakes are so high. Unlike a business where monetary profit is on the line, we feel the pressure of the eternal consequences that are at stake if we don’t take action and fail to lead people to a growing relationship with Jesus. While we need to be careful and work through our decision making in a deliberate, informed manner, you’ll find more churches plagued with inaction than churches making wild, reckless decisions that cause damage.

I’m convinced that analysis paralysis is a widespread epidemic in the local church, and I want to warn you against this harmful approach to leadership. Here are five ways that analysis paralysis might be impacting your church today.

Vision statement over wordsmithing

Have you ever read vision statements from churches? When you look at how churches talk about what they’re called to do, their mission statements all boil down to reaching more people with the message of Jesus and seeing them grow in a relationship with him. Here are a few examples from a quick search around the internet:

“To love the people of Cincinnati into relationship with Jesus Christ and give away to the world what God has given us.”
“We exist to welcome people to faith; equip people with a faith that works in real life; and send us in service into the world in Jesus’ name.”
“We are called to make disciples for Jesus Christ.”
“Helping Others Experience the JOY of Jesus Christ”
“Transforming individuals into empowered disciples of Christ.”
“To worship God, to make disciples of Jesus, and to serve the world.”
“To make more and better disciples of Jesus Christ.”

At the end of the day, we all follow the Great Commission; Matthew 28 lays out what our churches are supposed to do. Going into the world and proclaiming the message of Christ and then going on to disciple, teach, or mentor the people who have responded to that message is at the core of every church…

Source: 5 Ways Analysis Paralysis Might Be Killing Your Church – unSeminary

The post 5 Ways Analysis Paralysis Might Be Killing Your Church appeared first on Passion for Planting.