THE NEED FOR VISION
All leadership, if it is to be effective, must begin with VISION. Vision is the ability to see something accomplished well in advance of the reality. Leaders who are bound to the reality principle are not truly leaders, but managers of someone else’s vision. True vision always originates from God in the Christian church.
But Nanus asserts in his book, Visionary Leadership, that being a visionary is the one essential component of great leaders.[1] His focus is on business, but the concept certainly applies to the Church. This would fit closely with Peter’s and Waterman’s concept of visionary and entrepeneurialship traits in successful leaders. One must know where they are going, if they are going to get anywhere, and for leaders in the Church, this begins with God.[2]
THE PROCESS OF VISION
As stated before, vision comes from God. It must be supernaturally discerned by revelation (uncovering of a mystery) in the spirit of man. In God’s Word, vision is best taught in Habukkuk 2:1-3, NASB:
“I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and I will keep watch to see what he will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am reproved. Then the Lord answered me and said, ‘Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time. It hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.’”
In this most important passage of Scripture we can observe several aspects of vision. It would be too lengthy to attempt a complete exegesis of the passage, but some cogent commentary is provided.
A FRESH VISION IS NEEDED
First, in proper context, the prophet had been miserably complaining to God about the spiritual condition of the people of God about the spiritual condition of the people of God. He is questioning God’s strategy for his nation in light of their impoverished spiritual condition. Yet, the prophet is acutely aware of his own lack of knowledge and wisdom for the situation. He is crying out to God seeking a “word” from the Lord. He knows instinctively that he is unable to see things clearly as God does; thus a fresh vision is needed.
[1] Nanus, Burt, Visionary Leadership, 1990
[2] Covey, S.R., 1990
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