Apr

14

Vision, Vision, Vision — Part 1

April 14, 2008 |

I spoke with a small group pastor the other day. He was frustrated that his leaders seemed to be all over the place in terms of skills, interests, and direction. He’s tried to conduct training sessions, but gets a less than 20% turnout. In his frustration, he’s beginning to demand participation in leadership events. What he’s getting instead is rebellion.

What’s going on here? Perhaps many things, but when I asked him about his vision for small groups in his church, he looked confused. It seems that they have small groups because… small groups are good. Effective churches have them…. People need small groups…

OK, but what’s the vision? Why should people give up a Wednesday night to attend a small group? What might a member hope to gain at the end of the year? How will the groups at this church help the members become better men and women, husbands and wives, community members, employees?

Notice that these questions are member-directed. They’re focused on the members and the outcomes in their lives. We must never do groups primarily to benefit the church for the simple reason that most people aren’t that altruistic. The reality is that people today are self-centered. They have needs and they expect the church to fill them. No, that’s not the ideal, but it’s reality. So, work with them. What are the felt needs of the members of your church? What will be of such incredible benefit to them that they will be willing to give up watching Lost to attend? Now, what are the real, underlying needs that those felt needs are a symptom of? Those are what need to frame your vision.

So a felt need might be, “I’m stuck in a dead end job and I hate it.” The real need might be to understand his identity in Christ and how even the most menial jobs offer opportunities for living out that identity.

A felt need might be, “My marriage is falling apart.” The real need may be to learn and practice strategies for obeying God’s image of marriage, even in the midst of disappointment and frustration.

Tomorrow we’ll discuss how a vision can help you develop groups to meet these real and felt needs.


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