Get It: Passion, Mission, Vision
Some leaders flounder around in their churches, and wonder why their ministries lack dynamic effect in the lives of their people. Many of these leaders love the Lord and want to serve Him. But there’s something missing. Maybe it’s Passion, Mission and Vision.
See if the following squares with the Scriptures: Effective leadership in the local church requires more than godliness and gifting. An effective leader sees himself accurately, knows what to do and why, and gives himself to getting it done.
Why and for what? If the leader is walking well with the Lord, the leader’s Passion, Mission and Vision is about the Lord. It’s about the fame of Jesus and the glory of the Lord. After all, what does the leader have that he has not received? (1 Corinthians 4:7) If the leader is proud about his gifting and accomplishments, then he may as well boast about the color of his hair or the fine function of his kidneys.
Bottom line is that the effective leader knows what drives him (Passion); knows what he’s called to do (Mission); and sees a picture of the fulfilled future (Vision).
Passion
It’s what excites, sparks interest, raises energy and leads to intense desire to pursue. It is zeal and enthusiastic devotion.
Psalm 119:139 -- My zeal has consumed me . . .
Psalm 69:9 -- . . . zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.
Isaiah 26:11 -- Oh Lord, your hand is lifted up and yet they do not see it. They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame . . .
John 2:17 -- His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house will consume me.’
Romans 10:2 -- . . . they have a zeal for God, but not according with knowledge.
Mission
It’s what I am to do; it’s a specific project and work; it’s the battles—internal and external—that must be fought and won in order for the mission to be accomplished.
Examples:
• Abraham’s mission: leave the city of Ur and settle elsewhere
• Pharaoh’s mission: keep the Hebrew people in bondage
• Moses’ mission: free the Hebrew people
• Nehemiah’s mission: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem
• Esther’s mission: save the Jewish people from extermination
Vision
It’s a picture of a fulfilled future; it’s what something looks like when it’s up and running and completed with excellence. When the mission is achieved, here’s what it looks like. Accomplishing the mission leads to fulfillment of the vision.
Examples:
• Abraham’s vision: a son and a great nation
• Pharaoh’s vision: more pyramids
• Moses’ vision: God-honoring and free Hebrew people
• Nehemiah’s vision: Jews in Jerusalem who bring honor—not reproach—to God’s name.
• Esther’s vision: God-honoring and free Jewish people
