In Janurary Seacoast Church hosted a Leaders Conference for the leaders from all 13 of our campuses on one night via webcast. With over 1200 leaders attending together we learned how to catch and cast vision for our family, workplace and ministry.  The video below is the first portion of the Leaders Conference featuring Pastor Greg Surratt who talked about “What I know About Vision”.  Watch the video and follow the steps below to help you apply these principles. 

Every Tuesday for the next 4 weeks I will be posting one video from the different conference speakers which included:  Reggie Joiner (How to Cast Vision for your Family), Ray Snyder (How to Cast Vision in the Workplace), and Steven Furtick (How to Cast vision as a Ministry Leader).  Enjoy!

Leadership Conference – 2010 – Greg Surratt from Seacoast Church on Vimeo.

ACTION STEPS

1.  Watch Pastor Greg’s teaching on Vision and take notes in the space below

What I know About Vision

• A clear vision _______________________ in your life.
• A clear vision ________________________ to keep moving forward
• A clear vision ________________________________
• A clear vision _______________________________ of other people

How to Get a Vision

• Create _________________ in your life to listen to God.
• Ask God to _______________________ in the process.
• Keep a ________________________
• Write the _____________________________ of what the future looks like.
• Set ___________________ so every day you get closer to the vision.

2. Set aside several hours and write “the story” of the future for your family, work and/or ministry.  Follow the five steps Pastor Greg listed in his talk.

3.  Identify the major distractions that are keeping you from being lazer focused on your vision.  What adjustments do you need to make in your schedule to gain greater clarity and focus?

4.  Buy a good book on vision and read it over the next 30 days.  Here are a few good reads…

• Making Vision Stick, Andy Stanley
• The Power of Vision, George Barna

Isn’t it frustrating when people don’t get your vision.  You share it eloquently, convincingly and passionately yet within 24 hours someone asks you a question or makes a statement that indicates they just didn’t get it.

Being a visionary is patient business.  However the irony is most visionaries aren’t patient people.  I was struck with this truth recently when I was having lunch with a staff person who said, “You know you’ve been talking about leadership development here for years.  I’ve always heard what you’ve said, but I’m just now really beginning to understand.”  (Okay, you’re saying, “Mac is a lousy vision caster so I probably shouldn’t read any further“…but stick with me for a minute)

As leaders we have this misperception that a vision caster is like a carpenter who nails or duct tapes his vision in people’s minds and it’s supposed to stick.  But the truth is visionaries are more like artists who etch, sculpt and paint on the canvas of people’s minds until they see the image of what’s in the artist mind.  Vision isn’t something that STICKS immediately, it’s something that’s SHAPED over time. 

So don’t get discouraged when people aren’t getting it.  Vision casting takes time.  The artist knows when people need to hear it, see it, feel it, experience it, or share in it.  All of these are tools the visionary artist uses to bring the vision to life in the minds of their followers. 

How are you going to share and shape vision in the minds of your followers this week?

Leaders use vision to move people to action, but too often the very vision that inspired people gets pushed aside in the busyness of day to day activities.  I’ve heard Andy Stanley say, “Vision leaks”.  It’s true and that’s why we as leaders must find ways to daily reinforce our vision.  Will Mancini, my social media friend, in an effort to help all of us find ways to reinforce our vision has started an Open Source Vision Casting Twub (info below).  This all started when Will did a post titled Vision Drip Today where he shared 5 simple things you can do to “drip” vision.  He then followed it up with a post titled Introducing Open Source Vision Casting where he challenged readers to Tweet ways to cast vision every day.  I’m not a poker player but I like a good challenge so I figured I would see Will’s 5 and raise him 5 in this post.  Thanks Will for creating this collaborative effort to make us all better…so here you go…

5 Things You can do to drip vision…

• Vision lunches – Invite key influencers in your organization to go to lunch so you can talk to them about the vision God has put on your heart.  You go to lunch everyday anyway so why not ask someone to join you and take that hour to cast vision one on one.
• Meetings - Take 5-10 minutes prior to every team meeting to share the latest progress toward the vision and share the latest things God has moved on your heart in regard to the vision.
• Tell a story – You’re around people everyday who need to be reminded of the vision so take the opportunity to work a story illustrating the progress or impact of the vision into your conversation.  It’s easy, natural and only takes 3-4 minutes.  
• Prayer Team – I have a friend who has a huge vision and she has recruited a prayer team for her ministry.  Each month she sends her prayer partners updates asking them to pray for various aspects of the vision as well as giving praise reports on the progress.  Consider putting a prayer team together to pray for the vision God has given you.
• Tweet - Use Twitter to share plans, progress and pithy statements that reinforce your vision.  (How’d you like that alliteration!)  Our Missions Pastor at Seacoast Church  @JasonSurratt is one of the best I’ve seen at doing this, follow him and watch.

On Dec. 23 Will did a post where he announced a Twub for Vision casting.  You can check out the post by CLICKING HERE and check out the Twub by CLICKING HERE.  Here’s his challenge (and vision)…

What if just 100 people share 5 of their best ideas.  What about 1000 people sharing 5 ideas? Why shouldn’t we have thousands of ideas at our disposal from people across the globe? Imagine kingdom folks helping other kingdom folks uncork their biggest and best ideas. Imagine releasing vision from our “stuck on paper” practices to culture-shaping, life-giving moments that flow like a stream through daily ministry.  The rest of us need the immediate ideas that are coming to your mind right now as your read this post.  Here’s how to do it.  Using twitter, share your idea for dripping vision or a positive experience dripping vision using the #visiondrip hashtag.

Give it a try and tweet your own vision drip idea today…and don’t forget to add the hashtag #visiondrip

Now that we’re three weeks into the new year vision architects are busy assembling the pieces they need to build their God-given dream.  Plans are unfolding, resources being gathered, teams mobilized and undoubtedly somewhere in the near future roadblocks will be hit.  That’s why it’s important for the leader to understand the stages of a vision.  When you understand the different phases of vision then you’re able to respond with wisdom and maturity when you encounter challenges.  A vision typically goes through six stages.

• Imagination Stage- This is the fun stage where you get to think outside the box and dream about possibilities.  Typically you’re focused on solving a problem that is close to your heart and praying through ways God wants to use you to make a difference.
• Preparation Stage - This is the hard work of putting together the timelines, budget, priorities and goals of the vision.   Vision is seeing tomorrows possibilities today, but it’s not enough just to see it, you have to  design a blueprint in order to minimize frustrations along the way. 
• Execution Stage - This is where the vision train gets to leave the station.  Teams are deployed and people move into action to make things happen.  Day by day you get to see the framework of the vision being put together. 
• Frustration Stage - Rarely does a vision come together as planned.  Teams will miss deadlines, circumstances will change, resources become scarce and people will criticize or complain.  Every vision will face a challenge and this will prove the commitment of the leader and the team to the vision.
• Rejuvenation Stage -If  handled the right way the frustration stage causes the leader and team to think deeper and  push forward with innovative ideas, fresh perspective and new determination. 
• Celebration Stage - When the team crosses the finish line and the vision becomes reality it’s time for celebration.  Don’t forget to recognize and reward all those who contributed to making it all possible.  And mostly pause to thank God for using you to accomplish His will.

Which stage is your vision in right now?  What’s your next step?

Five Common Vision Casting Mistakes

Strong vision casting is absolutely essential for moving an organization toward the fulfillment of it’s mission.  That’s why leaders must be consistent in casting a convincing and compelling picture of the future.  But sometimes when we actually open our mouths to cast vision we’re prone to some common mistakes.  Here are five to consider as you think about your next vision casting opportunity. 

• MISTAKE #1  Too Much Information – While it’s important for you to know the details of the vision don’t feel like you have to share ALL the details with everyone.  When you share too much information you can actually dampen enthusiasm rather than inspire following.   Rule of thumb: The bigger the audience the fewer the details you need to share.  You can let them know there is a strategic plan, just don’t feel like you have to share the step by step details with the large crowd.
• MISTAKE #2 Emotionless Presentation- There is nothing worse than casting vision in a monotone voice.  You may not have a charismatic personality but you can still find a way to enthusiastically express your vision through your personality.  You have to cast vision with passion or others wont be convinced that you’re convinced. 
• MISTAKE #3 Credit Hog – it’s always tempting for a leader to take full credit for the vision.  But when we shine the light on ourselves we take the light off of the vision.  Rule of Thumb: When casting vision use the word “we” more than “I”.  Show the listener(s) how they fit into the vision.
• MISTAKE #4  Trigger Happy – You may have a great vision but if you cast it at the wrong time you may do more damage than good.  For example if you’re new in the role remember this principle: People buy into the visionary before they buy into the vision.  Take the time to do the relational groundwork, build your credibility, demonstrate authenticity, give people time to know you as well as know your vision.  Take time to get key influencers behind and bought into the vision before casting it from a big platform.
• MISTAKE #5  Unbelievable – Sometimes leaders cast a vision that’s so big that the average person just can’t grasp it.  Rule of thumb: the more previous success you’ve had the bigger the vision you can cast.  Our senior pastor Greg Surratt is one of the biggest visionaries I’ve known.  I always jokingly say he thinks with more zeros’ on the end than I do.  But his previous successes from years past allow him to cast a much bigger vision today.

What vision casting mistakes have you witnessed in the past?

Strong vision casting is absolutely essential for moving an organization toward the fulfillment of it’s mission.  That’s why leaders must be consistent in casting a convincing and compelling picture of the future.  But sometimes when we actually open our mouths to cast vision we’re prone to some common mistakes.  Here are five to consider as you think about your next vision casting opportunity. 

• MISTAKE #1  Too Much Information – While it’s important for you to know the details of the vision don’t feel like you have to share ALL the details with everyone.  When you share too much information you can actually dampen enthusiasm rather than inspire following.   Rule of thumb: The bigger the audience the fewer the details you need to share.  You can let them know there is a strategic plan, just don’t feel like you have to share the step by step details with the large crowd.
• MISTAKE #2 Emotionless Presentation- There is nothing worse than casting vision in a monotone voice.  You may not have a charismatic personality but you can still find a way to enthusiastically express your vision through your personality.  You have to cast vision with passion or others wont be convinced that you’re convinced. 
• MISTAKE #3 Credit Hog – it’s always tempting for a leader to take full credit for the vision.  But when we shine the light on ourselves we take the light off of the vision.  Rule of Thumb: When casting vision use the word “we” more than “I”.  Show the listener(s) how they fit into the vision.
• MISTAKE #4  Trigger Happy – You may have a great vision but if you cast it at the wrong time you may do more damage than good.  For example if you’re new in the role remember this principle: People buy into the visionary before they buy into the vision.  Take the time to do the relational groundwork, build your credibility, demonstrate authenticity, give people time to know you as well as know your vision.  Take time to get key influencers behind and bought into the vision before casting it from a big platform.
• MISTAKE #5  Unbelievable – Sometimes leaders cast a vision that’s so big that the average person just can’t grasp it.  Rule of thumb: the more previous success you’ve had the bigger the vision you can cast.  Our senior pastor Greg Surratt is one of the biggest visionaries I’ve known.  I always jokingly say he thinks with more zeros’ on the end than I do.  But his previous successes from years past allow him to cast a much bigger vision today.

What vision casting mistakes have you witnessed in the past?

Sometimes my ambitions outpace God’s assignments.  I have dedicated my life to honoring and serving God, but as vision grows in my heart so grows the temptation to build what God is not asking me to build.  A spiritual leader must guard his ambitions and daily keep his ear tuned to God’s directives. 

There’s a little known character in the Bible named Hiel who made this mistake and he paid dearly for it.  His story is recorded in one verse, 1 Kings 16:34, “In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken by Joshua son of Nun.”

Years earlier in Joshua 6:26 God had warned the people of Israel not to rebuild the city of Jericho.  But evidently Hiel driven by his ambition ignored God’s instruction.  He had a vision and completed the job, but notice his family paid the price.   He lost his oldest son as he built the foundation.  But that didn’t stop him; he continued building and eventually lost his youngest son as he set up the gates.

Don’t let your ambitions outpace God’s assignments. When we build what God doesn’t want us to build it’s usually our family that pays the price.  It breaks my heart when I see a man (or woman) who truly loves God get caught up in selfish ambition, going way beyond what God is asking and watch the family pay the price.

Are you keeping your family a priority as you fulfill God’s assignment for your life?  What can you do for or with them this week to show them they are a priority in your schedule?