Maybe you've seen this video before. But even if you have seen it, you'll probably want to see it one more time just to laugh again.
On a Japanese TV game show, men attempt to play soccer with binoculars strapped to their heads.
I've noticed that some churches try to play binocular soccer as well. Everyone has their own vision, and so when people try to work together they end up hurting others. In the end nothing actually gets accomplished except for a few hurt people and maybe a few laughs after the hurts heal.
Within the Wake
Perhaps you've seen people describe the vision of a church similar to this:
The idea is that the dept./ministry leaders each have their own vision for their respective area of ministry. And, as long as they stay within the broad vision of the church then all is well.
That's the idea. But in reality, when there are many little boats, there are many little captains, and the ministry leaders end up pursuing their own interest at the expense of other ministries. It ends up looking something more like this:
Flip the Wake
Armando Heredia even have the cool idea of flipping the wake. (You can read the insightful article here: The New Leader-Ship: Flipping the Wake ) In theory, it looks somewhat like this:
The concept is that instead of the leadership of the community being out in front of the ministries, the vision that is cast by the organizational leaders from the heart of the community. The vision, then, is what ultimately guides the various ministry leaders. This creates broader room for each ministry leader to implement their vision for their respective ministry.
I believe that Armando is closer to how a community vision must function, and I agree with many of the main points offered. Yet, I believe that flipping the wake will, in the end, cause many of the same concerns that we face within the wake. Again, when there are many little boats, there are many little captains pursuing their own interest at the expense of other ministries. So flipping the wake ends up looking something more like this:
Get Back in the Boat
As I was thinking of this metaphor I began to realize, however, that the only boats that are generally sent out by the mother-ship are life-boats. And we only tend to deploy life-boats when we think the mother-ship is about to sink.
So may I suggest that we just get back in the boat.
Instead trying to facilitate separate visions, perhaps everyone in the organization should focus on a shared vision.
Within the wake is the historical vision, so that we remain mindful of the historical trends and traditions that have guided us to our present place.
We flip the wake to see the future vision. Moving forward into the uncharted waters of change by the guidance of the Great Commission and Spirit of Jesus Christ is the reason for the existence of the church.
Sharing a vision, however, is having everyone is in the same boat. Instead of each ministry pursuing their own vision and competing for the limited available resources, each ministry is working in unison with the established direction of the congregation.
When everyone is in the same boat it ensures that the influence of each ministry leader is used for the greatest good and not for selfish motives or personal gain. In unity, we serve the local vision with the pastor and church community, so that we can ultimately fulfill the vision of Christ.
Sharing a vision is kind of like taking off the binoculars and actually playing soccer as a team.
