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StaMaki 07-10-105 Making
Vision Stick Andy Stanley |
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Andy Stanley,
founding and senior pastor of North Point Community Church in Atlanta, has
written several very helpful books including this short one that clearly illustrates
six key principles for keeping your church focused on the vision. "Vision
doesn't stick without constant care and attention." "There is no season in which a leader
can push autopilot…." (12)
"…it is possible for a church to grow numerically while drifting
further and further away from the founding vision…." "Success lures us into taking our
hands off the wheel. Failure causes us
to overcorrect." "Complexity
can kill the original vision." (13) "Vision is
about what could be and should be, but life is about right this minute." (15) "It is the
leader's responsibility to ensure that people understand and embrace the
vision of the organization."
"It is up to each one of us to make sure there is alignment
between the activity and the vision of our enterprise." (17) The five steps: 1.
State
the vision simply. 2.
Cast
the vision convincingly. 3.
Repeat
the vision regularly. 4.
Celebrate
the vision systematically. 5.
Embrace
the vision personally. (18) The vision must
be memorable. You may need to clarify or simplify it. (19) Northpoint's new
vision revolves around connecting people into small groups. A longer vision
statement was reduced to "5/50/10" (5000 groups with 50,000 people
by 2010). (Better to have it memorable
and have to explain it than to have it fully explained and no one remember
it.) (23) "Every
vision is a solution to a problem."
"It's the what's at stake
issue that grabs people's heart." (25-6)
Your vision must answer a) What problem does your vision solve? and b)
What happens if the problem is not addressed? (27) "Repeat the
vision regularly." Intentionally
incorporate it in the rhythm of your organization. (33-4) Stanley preaches on the vision every
January and May. But use other means
as well. Celebrating
real-world wins helps clarify and cast the vision. (39) "Reading an e-mail in church is a spontaneous
way of celebrating vision." Use
stories as a time to reiterate.
Baptisms and stories of faith journeys are excellent. Build celebration into the rhythm of your
organization. (46) Embody the
vision. Live it so people can see
it. Don't fake it. If you are weary, admit it to a few safe
people and ask them to pray for you. Be alert for
slippage. Vision often drifts with the
introduction of a new program. Keep
your antennae up for things that distract.
(55) "If the people around
you aren't asking the right questions, telling the right stories, or
complaining about the right things, you vision may be slipping." (59) "Pay the
price. Embrace the vision. And do whatever it takes to make your
vision stick!" (74) |
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