Vision CASTING

1. Vision is a broad statement of purpose that resonates with the will of God. Vision starts with awareness, then births a strategy for most effectively solving that problem. (Jer. 1:4,5; Isa. 49:1,5; 46:10; Rom. 8:29)

2. Strategy is the roadmap for accomplishing the action plan for fulfilling TGC that requires going and making disciples of all nations, baptizing, equipping and sending them on. (Matt. 28:19;10:1-14; Acts 1:8; 2Tim.2: 2)

3. Goals must be well defined as numerically measurable  objectives which are to be achieved in a given period of time. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reproducible and Time bound. To achieve your goals, an information based action plan must be made. Every businessman trains salesman, sets goals and conducts constant performance appraisal and rewards success accordingly. (Luke 14:28-30; Exo. 33:12,17; Rev. 22:12)

4. God instructed Habakkuk to write down the Vision statement and then to run with it, so that others could also know them and partner with him; “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” A written plan of action is like a compass to a ship captain. (Hab. 2:1-3; 14)

5. Do not try to live out other people’s vision. God gives a unique vision to everyone. Noah, Moses, Joshua, Nehemiah, Esther, Peter, Paul and others, each had a very different vision and task assigned to them. One of the main functions of a spiritual father is to impart vision and keep them focused on it. (1Tim. 4:11-14; Mal. 4:6)

6. The entire vision and roadmap may not be clear to you immediately. It may unfold step by step like the sowing of seed, which brings forth the stalk, then the head and finally the full corn, before it is ready for harvest. When a tiny mustard seed of faith grows and starts fruiting, birds (lost people) come to nest in it. (Mark. 4:26-34)

7. Regardless of wealth, education or influence, a lost person is one who has no vision for the lost. An overly inward looking Gospel does not fully represent God’s concerns because His vision is for the nations.Without vision, nations perish. (Prov. 29:18; Judges 21:25)

8. God’s gifts are irrevocable. He speaks through dreams, visions and revelations and also through an audible voice (‘thus says the Lord’ - 414 times in the scriptures). The word “listen” --352 times; so keep your ears open. “He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  (Rom. 11:29; Acts 16:9,10; Jer. 31:33; Rev. 2:29)

9. Vision is not about professional success or maximizing profits but about optimizing God’s purposes. Vision is about fulfilling what God created you for. Vision without a strategic action plan, persistence and passion is hallucination. Vision does not come free, it has a price tag. (Eph. 1:11; Luke 12:15; 1 John 4:4; 1Cor. 9:24-27)

10. Stay focused. Nehemiah’s vision came out of fasting and prayer for rebuilding the city, which he accomplished within fifty two days, in spite of many challenges. William Carey was advised by a senior pastor in England to give up his God given vision for India. Fortunately he persisted and changed the destiny of this nation. He said, “Expect great things from God and attempt great things for God”. (Neh. 2:5; Prov. 19:21; Isa. 14:24; Phil. 4:13)