Vision and Mission. Your Unique Calling

Guided by the Holy Spirit, we want to discover God’s unique mission and vision and calling for ourselves so that As we finish our journey and one day stand before the LORD,  we will hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”  Matthew 25:21

This post emphasizes the importance for Christians to identify God’s unique mission and vision for their lives through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, using their gifts, passions, and experiences. It stresses on maintaining a strong vision to guide decision-making, underscoring teachings from thinkers such as George Barna, Andy Stanley and Zig Ziglar. Distinctions between mission and vision are clarified, with divine vision taking precedence over good ideas, due to its unlimited potential for advancing God’s Kingdom.

The difference between “Mission” and “Vision”

Mission is a general statement of ministry objectives; It is philosophic.

Vision is a specific, detailed statement of direction and uniqueness; It is strategic.

George Barna in Visioneering states, “Vision for ministry is a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self and circumstances” And I might add: For the building of His Kingdom. I believe when we understand the “Why” of what we wish to do, the “How” becomes more easy to do. George goes on to say that vision “is an articulated intention to do something significant and unique, creating a new reality that improves upon that which exists today, a new world ordained by God for His people to bring to life.”

Embodying the Love of Jesus Christ in the City and the World.

That’s our mission as Christians!

That is or should be the Mission statement of every Christian Church. It is ok and good for every Christian church to have this mission statement and have it posted in their church for everyone to see. We all need to be reminded! Where we embody the love of Jesus, can be changed based on our city, town, county or state. But it does include the world!

This also applies to a Christian believer as we are the church. We all have a mission and vision, whether Christian or not. It probably is not written down, but we have a worldview in our mind of what we think or believe life should be like. That “Mission” and “Vision” applies us us as individuals as part of a family and extends to our life in our career as well.

Most of what we see about Mission and Vision on the internet seems to be for a business or a non profit. But the principles also apply to individuals which I hope to convey with this post. Never to early or too late to work and update our Mission and Vision, whether a Millennial or a Boomer or a Boomer and Beyond!

Writing the Mission is the easy part!

When we can answer the “Why” to our questions, the “How” becomes easier!

I once heard the phrase, before you embark on any endeavor to first envoke the blessing of diety. In other words, pray. One of my favorite Bible verses:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

It all begins with Prayer!

How we actually do the Mission, that becomes our Vision statement.

The evolution of my mission and vision over the years…Just an example. As you can see, my mission and vision has changed over the years and it may change again. No matter how “old” we may be, the Holy Spirit continues to work in our lives!

Encouraging and challenging people to be “rooted”, “grounded” and “grow” and so “bloom” where they are “planted” in their neighborhood, world and career. We can do this best by using our Passion”,” Abilities”,” Gifts”, “Strengths” and prior “Experiences” God has gifted us with and thereby bringing glory and honor to the LORD. 1st Corinthians 10:31 Seeing the interaction of Faith, Vision and Service.

So that someday we will hear our master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The best book I have read on this subject is The Power of Vision: Discover and Apply God’s Plan For Your Life and Ministry. Try your local library first.

Some wisdom from George Barna on Vision.

The Power of Vision and Visioneering

As George Barna says in his book, The Power of Vision: Discover and Apply God’s Plan For Your Life and Ministry, “Our greatest obligation while we are on Earth is to know God more intimately and to bring ever greater glory to His name by our efforts. To assist us in that effort, God wants to share with you His vision for your life and ministry.” 

He goes on to say “Just as the pastor is the leader of a church, you are called to be the leader of your personal ministry and to live that ministry in accordance with God’s expectations and desires for you, as outlined through the vision.” 

He further states, “Aggressively seek to understand what God is calling you to do that distinguishes you from every other believer and that makes you a unique ambassador for Christ.”

He ends his conclusion in his book by stating, “Use your vision as the decision-making filter that determines which opportunities you pursue and which ones you reject.”

I am NOT promoting books, so check out the reviews online and check out any books at your library. If you need to, purchase it!

As Zig Ziglar says, “The trail is long, and we won’t arrive at our destination in this life. Still, we’re on the journey with Jesus for the greatest thrill of our lives.”

As we finish our journey and one day stand before the LORD, don’ we want to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:21

As we begin the process of determining what “vision” the Lord has for us, George Barna says as he interviewed people for his book: “First, they enter the vision development process uncertain of what they are seeking to do but persuaded they must do something to provide greater clarity for their future.” In my personal experience over the years it seems as if a “holy frustration” has led to different Missions and Visions.

George Barna ends his conclusion in his book by stating. “Use your vision as the decision-making filter that determines which opportunities you pursue and which ones you reject.” This saves us a lot of time and frustration!

Theologian Dr. R.C. Sproul. “God’s sovereign providence stands over and above our actions. He works out His will through the actions of human wills, without violating the freedom of those human wills.”

God created each of us with a unique contribution to make in our world.

No other person has our same abilities, motivations, network of friends and relationships, perspectives, ideas, or experiences. When we, like misplaced puzzle pieces, fail to show up, the overall picture is diminished.”  

 Richard Stearns: President of World Vision U.S.
Quote from his book: The Hole in our Gospel 

Some Wisdom from Andy Stanley

Don’t we all want to know God’s vision, mission and will for our lives? In this unprecedented time of Covid-19 in our lives we can easily get discouraged, frustrated and maybe even depressed. Time keep going on and we may be confused with all the good and even great ideas popping into our minds or not popping into our minds!. Take heart, there is a solution!

Andy Stanley in his book Visioneering:   God’s blueprint For Developing And Maintaining Vision Speaks about Good Ideas Versus God Ideas. He says that “Good ideas are limited to our potential, connections, and resources. If you are simply pursuing a good idea, then you need to devote a great deal of time and energy trying to figure out how to pull it off. But it is good to review and know your strengths, gifts, abilities, resources, connections and how God has worked in your life in the past!

A divine vision, on the other hand, is limited only by God’s potential and resources. That means anything is possible. If it is just a good idea, you have to make it happen. When God gives you a vision, there’s a sense in which you stand back and watch it happen.”

So if it’s just one of my numerous good ideas…I have to work hard to make it happen…and if it happens, I get the credit.  On the other hand if it’s a real vision from the Lord…I still have to work hard. but if it happens…especially if I don’t have the know-how, etc. to make it happen…then God gets the credit.

Are you currently ministering on the basis of vision?

If so, whose Vision?

Turning Vision Into Action:

Ministering in your church!

George Barna says that “Once you have ascertained the vision God has for your personal ministry, part of the challenge before you is to determine how to fulfill that calling within the context of the vision He has provided for your church.” He further states, “You will find that the church is most successful when the people that comprise the body have worked out ways of incorporating their unique skills and calling within the parameters of the church’s corporate vision.”

George Barna believes “Each church has been called into existence to reach a different group of people and to have a unique influence on the culture in which it ministers.”

I believe this could be a controversial statement for church leaders. I would think that churches believe they have to reach all people. That is beyond the scope of most churches, except maybe very large mega churches. That is why churches need Vision statements. A good time to stop and reflect: What is the Vision statement of my church? Is the mission and vision statement on my church website and easy to see?

Always start and continue with Prayer!

We started with prayer and can end with prayer:

“‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26

Still looking for Peace?

Have you found your “Calling”? If not, you can search for “calling” on my “Blog” section of my website. Blessings Richard

Mission and Vision Summary

The post emphasizes the importance of identifying God’s unique mission and vision for individual believers and Christian churches. It argues that one’s life purpose is discovered through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, utilizing natural gifts, spiritual gifts, passions, abilities, and experiences. It also underscores the significance of holding a vision that guides decision-making and brings glory to God. The teachings of various thinkers, such as George Barna and Zig Ziglar, are mentioned to reinforce these points.

The post underlines the importance of mission and vision in a Christian’s life, drawing a distinction between them. The mission, embodying the love of Jesus Christ, serves as the guiding principle for all Christians. The vision, however, tends to change over time and location, but it essentially translates the mission into actionable steps. It encourages having a divine vision guided by the Holy Spirit rather than just good ideas, as divine visions have unlimited potential for extending God’s Kingdom. Citing books and Bible verses, the author invites everyone to explore God’s unique calling for them, which would shape their personal vision. Moreover, incorporating this personal vision within the church’s vision can be challenging but rewarding.

If you don’t go any further…my prayer for you and your family.

A short reflection on how my Mission and Vision has changed over time.

This particular blog of mine started in 2016.

Bloom Where You are Planted.

Encouraging & challenging people to be “rooted”, “grounded” and “grow” and so bloom” where they are “planted” in their neighborhood, world and career…using their Passion”,” Abilities”,” Gifts”, “Strengths” and prior “Experiences” God has gifted them with and thereby bringing glory and honor to the LORD. 1st Corinthians 10:31

My first blog: Started in 2009.

Communicating God’s Love to a Hurting World!

Mobilizing the body of Christ globally to join Jesus in His mission, especially among the least-reached people groups,transforming lives, relationships & communities. Reaching the “Unreached People Groups” in the 10/40 window. Helping viewers to see the endless opportunities especially in this time of the Coronavirus,to help complete the Great Commission, whatever their interests and abilities are.

Questions, comments…Would love to connect. You can respond at bottom of page, and or connect on Linkedin.

If you found anything of value and help to you in your mission in life, please pray about forwarding this post to your social media contacts…family, friends, pastor and church leaders. See Buttons on bottom of page.