What is a vision statement?
Through its vision statement, an organization defines its ultimate motivation, its dreams, and its image of a desired future. A vision statement describes the ideal situation if the organization could fulfill its utmost wish. Some examples: • No child in our city will go to bed hungry. (Soup kitchen) • In two decades, our services will no longer be needed. (Literacy program) • We will be recognized as the best symphony orchestra in America.
The creation of a vision statement can be a great asset to just about any type of organization. Essentially, a vision statement takes into account the current status of the organization, and serves to point the direction of where the organization wishes to go. As a means of setting a central goal that the organization will aspire to reach, the vision statement helps to provide a focus for the mission of the corporation, business, or non-profit entity. Here is some information about the construction of a vision statement. While vision statements and mission statements are very similar in nature, there is a fine point of difference between the two documents. A mission statement is more concerned with the overall aim of the business, a simple statement of the company’s reason for being. Often the statement will include verbiage that makes a pledge to deliver a superior product or service to customers on a consistent basis. From this perspective, a mission statement is about maintaining a
” II Questions that Launch Leaders by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro Sure, we know that to be a leader you have to lead, but to lead you have to give vision, and that’s where we can fall short. How do you hammer out a vision? One that’s perfect for your people, fits the needs of your ministry & honors God’s call—all in one. Here are a few guidelines for drafting just such a Vision Statement. The vision must… • Be birthed from, & aligned with, the Word of God. God’s Word is infallible; our desires & goals often are not. Be sure the Bible confirms your dreams & there is never a conflict betwixt the two. Is there a key Scripture that embodies your vision? Ask God to reveal it to you. He will. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) • Be consistent with the Great Commission for reaching the lost. Every church should have at its core a passion for the lost. We can have goals for success, nurturing & discipleship, but if we are not bringing people to Christ, we have missed the point! (Mt. 28:19) • Be hammered out. Your who