Picturing a Portrait of Transformation
2/25/02

You may be deep in the process of planning for renewal in your congregation. Questions may occupy your mind, like, "How should I organize the Spiritual Life Groups?" "How can I get others to accept The Jesus Connection process?" You are busy figuring out how to convince people of the church's need for change.

Step back for a minute and look at renewal from a different perspective. The issue is not only what the church needs. It is also what the people need. Leading a congregation into renewal must take account of the people themselves. You serve a congregation's needs well when you build a vision. When you set a vision for renewal, you meet the congregation's need. How so? Because a vision, unlike a mission statement, attracts a willing commitment. It paints a picture of the future that is significant (not necessarily big). Humans have a need for significance. They want - long for - some way to contribute to a cause greater than themselves. It fulfills their God-given purpose.

I took part in a Habitat for Humanity project in Pennsylvania. The couple, with three small children, were heading for divorce. However, during a summer of building, their lives changed. They were overwhelmed with the demonstrated love of people from local churches. Their financial pressures abated. They began to hope. They decided to stay together. On the last day of the project, we were painting an interior room. The wife turned from painting and said to us, "I can't wait to do this for someone else!" From that moment, I was hooked on Habitat. It wasn't the mission statement that cemented my commitment, as good as it is: "Affordable housing for all of God's people." It was the vision of making a difference in people's lives. I no longer build houses. I build homes. Homes that provide new life and safety and hope. Transformation.

Many churches have mission statements. They speak of reaching out to people, building them up and setting them free to serve and reach others. In one way or another, they speak of loving God and loving others. Mission statements give direction. That's good, but don't stop there. Go on to vision. Visions inspire. Vision produces motivation. It paints a portrait that is significant and readily seen.
Genuine vision first stirs the soul of the leader(s). It elicits from the leader a passionate response that spills over and out to others. "This", says the leader, in word and deed, "is significant for me and for you." Until the people visualize where you want to go and why, it will be difficult to achieve a long-term TJC process of renewal. It will be seen as a program, instead of a passion.

Jim Pall, owner of the El Paso Diabo AAA minor league baseball team has his own vision: "Minor league baseball isn't about hitting the ball, buying popcorn and beer and going home. It's about family entertainment," says Pall. He remembers as a boy going to a baseball game and listening to an 11 year old girl and her Dad sitting in front of him. The whole time, she was talking about the players, their statistics and the game - and, in between time, she talked about third period at school, a boy that she liked, and why mom was angry with her the day before. In a relaxed atmosphere of a baseball park, father and daughter bonded. Jim Pall's vision is larger than managing baseball. He's building families.

What will transformation look like in your congregation? How will you picture it for the people you serve?

Blessings,   
Cliff Jones, Country Club Christian Church - Kansas City, MO