This session opened with a fantastic video about the history of the church. The images and recanting of history was stunning to see. My how far we’ve come as a church.Bill gave a quick update about Jim Mellado’s accident and recovery. Jim is the leader of the Willow Creek Association and right hand man to Bill. Jim & his son were caught up in an accident and almost drowned. Thankfully, they’re doing fine.
Bill’s top points:
Nothing matters more than the ownership of the vision.
Vision is the painting of a picture that inspires passion in people.
Vision is stating a future that can be realized.
A vision that is not owned is a worthless vision
John 10 - Ownership
Owners die for the vision while hired hands run away.
How do we go about casting the vision so that the listeners will own it?
Process
Vision Formation
The Sinai approach
The Team approach
Off-site retreat for the key leaders of the church
What does God want our church to look like 5 years from now?
Builds community
Opens dialogue among key leaders
“People don’t always have to have their way, they just have to have their way considered.”
Vision Refinement
First Rough Draft
Subsequent drafts
Take it to different people groups and see what they think.
“What excites/scares you about this?”
When you do this, people feel valued.
You get important feedback and open the door for ownership
Vision Declaration
Solo Activity
Team Activity
Remember: Vision Leaks. You have to fill people’s vision buckets back up. Use any and every means possible to remind people about the vision.
Celebrate progress along the way.
Tell a story to mark a milestone in the church’s vision.
As a leader, people will follow your lead. People will be (are) watching you. They will own the vision as much as you own it. You can’t fake it. You either have it or you don’t. If you’re not willing to die for it, then it’s not a vision worth dying for. MLK examples given.
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