07/11/2014 Leaders and Vision
Peter Prothero
Defining Vision
•  noun: vision
•  the faculty or state of being able to see
Copyright 2014: Peter Prothero & Jubilee Church 1 07/11/2014 Vision Statement
The term “vision statement” refers to an
explanation, usually in written form, of what
a person or organisation wants to be or get
done at some later point in time. It identifies
goals, providing direction to activities and
motivating people to move forward.
Mission Statements
Mission statements are always present
based, talking about why an organisation
exists and what they want to achieve in the
here and now. They express the
philosophies and principles behind any
activities that are done.
What is Vision?
•  Vision is the ability to see a desired future
reality. Leadership creates steps to take
people into that desired future.
•  God gave vision to Moses who passed it
on to Joshua.
•  Vision can be imparted
Copyright 2014: Peter Prothero & Jubilee Church 2 07/11/2014 Exodus 3:8
And I am come down to deliver them out of
the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them
up out of that land unto a good land and a
large, unto a land flowing with milk and
honey unto the place of the
Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the
Amorites, …...
Warren Benis
“The single defining quality of leaders is the
capacity to create and realise a vision.”
Henry Ford (1863 – 1947)
“I’m looking for a lot of men who have the
infinite capacity to not know what can’t be
done.”
Copyright 2014: Peter Prothero & Jubilee Church 3 07/11/2014 Sam Walton (1918-1992)
“Capital isn’t scarce, Vision is.”
The Problem with Vision
•  You can’t create it! You either see or you
don’t.
•  The nature of vision is prophetic
•  ……the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy (Revelation 19:10)
Vision Enhancers
•  Perseverance
–  staying the course
•  Courage
–  Overcoming obstacles
•  Empowerment
–  Making space for others
Copyright 2014: Peter Prothero & Jubilee Church 4 07/11/2014 Vision Killers
Let’s explore some ways that vision is often
blocked in organisations, including
churches.
Tradition
•  Tradition is generally a reflection of the
past.
•  Vision is always a reflection of the future.
•  Is there any room for both?
Tradition
•  Positively: Tradition helps to provide
people with a sense of continuity and
stability.
•  Negatively: Tradition can block vision
becoming reality.
Copyright 2014: Peter Prothero & Jubilee Church 5 07/11/2014 Jesus & Tradition
•  Matthew 15:2-6
•  Mark 7:9;13
Paul & Tradition
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Galatians 1:14
Colossians 2:8
1 Corinthians 11:2
2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6
Tradition
•  Some traditions block progress. When this
happens we need to reshape traditions by
moving them in new directions.
•  Often we need to update them with a more
relevant and contemporary expression of
those truths that made the tradition
valuable initially.
Copyright 2014: Peter Prothero & Jubilee Church 6 07/11/2014 Fear of Failure
•  If we have failed in the past it is often
harder to dare to try again. We tend to
dwell on our past failures or our sense of
limitation.
•  Who is this Philistine?
Fear of Failure
•  Vision replaces fear with energy and hope.
It dismisses unbelief and replaces it with
peace and assurance.
•  Joshua and Caleb – a different spirit
Stuck on Stereotypes
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•
•
•
•
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Racial and ethnic characteristics
Versions of the Bible
Styles of Preaching
Styles of Worship and Music
Gender roles
What is church
Copyright 2014: Peter Prothero & Jubilee Church 7 07/11/2014 Complacency
•  What would you give for the chance to see
the vision become reality?
•  There is always a cost!
•  Is your team so lethargic that the
prospects of fulfilling the vision are slim?
•  Haggai 1
Fatigue
•  If you have difficulty generating excitement
about the vision, check to see if you are
running on empty.
•  Vision calls for a tremendous degree of
faith and energy.
•  The Elijah syndrome (1 Kings 19).
Confusion
•  Vision often fails because it has not been
clearly explained or reinforced.
•  Can you easily summarize your vision?
•  Are folk able to repeat it back to you?
Copyright 2014: Peter Prothero & Jubilee Church 8 07/11/2014 Vision Statements
•  Oxfam: A just world without poverty
•  Save the Children: A world in which every
child attains the right to survival,
protection, development and participation.
Vision Statements
•  IKEA: to create a better everyday life for
the many people
•  Kraft Foods: Helping People Around the
World Eat and Live Better
Vision Statements
•  Virgin Airlines: To grow a profitable
airline, where people love to fly and people
love to work
•  Ericsson: A Networked Society, where
every person and every industry is
empowered to reach their full potential
Copyright 2014: Peter Prothero & Jubilee Church 9 07/11/2014 Short Term Thinking
•  God’s vision is long term in nature. His
vision may well outlive the visionary.
•  We should pursue the vision in concert
with His timing. Don’t just build looking for
quick results and tangible benefits in the
short term. Think and plan generationally.
Short Term Thinking
•  God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
•  The vision was handed down.
•  Who are you passing your vision on to?
Copyright 2014: Peter Prothero & Jubilee Church 10