I never knew that there was a negative connotation of the word 'vision' - for me this embodies what leaders are to instil into their congregations. It is easier to get buy-in to 'vision' than it is to say 'the goal is to remove the pews' to pick a controversial one or remove the teacups to be even more controversial! I was at City Temple today where the leadership make the decisions about what fits into their 'vision'. This vision is preached on and is published in their bi-monthly magazine. Since, as Baptists, we believe that congregations should make the decisions how do we, as leaders, go along this route of 'vision setting' rather than 'goal setting'? Or is this no longer necessary if we have an agreed upon 'vision'? I assume part of the reason for this link was about the use of time - do Pastors really spend 20% of their discretionary time in goal development? If this is so it surely is a waste of time – but it depends on what is meant by ‘goal development’ especially as I spend at least a couple of hours each week adjusting my calendar for the week and setting goals to achieve! And as for the teacups – we waste an incredible amount of time debating these types of things. How edifying!
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I never knew that there was a negative connotation of the word 'vision' - for me this embodies what leaders are to instil into their congregations. It is easier to get buy-in to 'vision' than it is to say 'the goal is to remove the pews' to pick a controversial one or remove the teacups to be even more controversial!
I was at City Temple today where the leadership make the decisions about what fits into their 'vision'. This vision is preached on and is published in their bi-monthly magazine.
Since, as Baptists, we believe that congregations should make the decisions how do we, as leaders, go along this route of 'vision setting' rather than 'goal setting'? Or is this no longer necessary if we have an agreed upon 'vision'?
I assume part of the reason for this link was about the use of time - do Pastors really spend 20% of their discretionary time in goal development? If this is so it surely is a waste of time – but it depends on what is meant by ‘goal development’ especially as I spend at least a couple of hours each week adjusting my calendar for the week and setting goals to achieve! And as for the teacups – we waste an incredible amount of time debating these types of things. How edifying!
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