A Vision that Endures
Christian leaders have long understood the importance of establishing a vision for the people they steward. Historically, when we examine a leader’s vision, we often focus on the ingenuity of their imagination toward an ideal future, followed by their ability to guide their organization toward the goal accordingly. However, developing an impactful organizational vision means embracing a more thoughtful approach than a sudden spark of creativity.
A vision that endures requires a leader to immerse themselves in their organization’s past, present, and future.
In my 10-plus years serving in executive leadership roles for Wycliffe Bible Translators, and now today as President and CEO of American Bible Society, I have found that establishing a vision for an organization, particularly one with a long history, requires much more than a healthy imagination. A vision that endures requires a leader to immerse themselves in their organization’s past, present, and future.
Analyze the Past
Many leaders get energized by thinking about the future, but setting an organization’s vision starts with analyzing your organization’s past. Building on past purpose without being trapped by past forms can be challenging. However, understanding the ideas and opportunities that catalyzed the organization’s beginnings can help you avoid mission drift as you refresh the vision. As Isaac Newton wrote: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” The past can provide a stepping stone into our future.
Genesis 1-2 provides this type of insight into God’s vision for creation, informing believers about God’s mindset and intentions. It also shows us how sin impacted progress toward God’s desired outcome. Even when organizations ensure alignment with their initial purpose, they can still get derailed by besetting sins.
Organizations can proclaim God’s goodness from generation to generation (Ps. 145:4), but they can also experience the consequences of unhealthy behaviors and attitudes from one generation to the next (Ex. 34:7). Generational sins need to be rooted out so that an organization can have a flourishing future.
Anticipate the Future
If you want to set a vision for the future, the past can only take you so far. You need strategic foresight to know the internal and external factors on the horizon. 1 Chronicles 12:32 highlights the men of Issachar who “understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” Similarly, organizations can use an understanding of the signs of the times as elements that help shape the organization’s vision.
If you want to set a vision for the future, the past can only take you so far.
I find it helpful for organizations to begin engaging with strategic foresight through four of the methods recommended by Edward Cornish author of Futuring: The Exploration of the Future (World Future Society, 2005). Those methods are environmental scanning, trend analysis, trend monitoring, and trend projection. These four elements work together to create a cohesive view of short and long-term potential futures:
- Surveying across external topics – missiology, philanthropy, technology and beyond
- Digging deeply into the trends
- Following those trends over time
- And, using that information to project the future trajectory of those trends
With this information at hand, the organization can identify a vision that will not shift with changing cultural, political, or technological trends.
Align the Present
The final element of establishing a vision requires understanding and aligning your organization with the present. In Experiencing God (B&H Books, 2021 Kindle edition), Henry Blackaby encouraged believers to “watch to see where God is working and join him in his work.” Organizations benefit by doing the same. Your organization will not be outside God’s will if you follow him in places where he is already at work. Further, aligning your vision with God at work does not require your organization to reserve itself for flashy or large-scale endeavors. It only requires discernment.
God has given your organization a purpose and unique contributions that he wants to see used wisely and well in the world. When you know your purpose and unique gifts, and you have reflected on what God is doing within and outside of your organization, a vision can begin to emerge. Your final test should involve feedback from trusted godly counselors who can correct any biases or misperceptions you may have brought to the table (Prov. 11:14).
Establishing a vision for an organization can feel like a daunting task. It should not be a solitary task. Guidance from the Lord, counsel from wise advisers, and the use of these time-based lenses can bring sharp focus to a field of overwhelming possibilities. Together, these elements can produce an enduring vision to shape and guide your organization’s impact for years to come.
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Dr. Jennifer Holloran serves as President/Chief Executive Officer of American Bible Society (ABS). Before ABS, Jennifer served Wycliffe Bible Translators for 22 years, most recently as chief operating officer. Jennifer has also served on several missions organization boards, including Missio Nexus, Mission Aviation Fellowship, and Partners International.
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