Christ-like leaders follow Jesus’ words, attitudes, and actions in casting a vision for where their church body goes as well as goals to get there. We start with Jesus’ broad intent for life in Him. He said,
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (Jn. 10:10)
When we view our responsibilities as leaders through the lens of the basics of life in Christ, certainly any vision and goals we set should be guided by and reflecting of this potential of an abundant, full life in Christ.
Potential Flows from a Christ-like Intent in Vision & Goal-Setting
The original Greek word in John 10:10, perissos, goes beyond the English concept of “full” in the sense of having what we need in order to be complete. The word signifies having more than what we need, an abundance, or overflow. That’s the potential toward which our vision should aim. And, goals we set should also align with His intent.
Peril Comes from Anything Less than His Intent
When we settle for less than what Jesus came to give us by following our own ideas or the way of the world, we put our churches in harm’s way. Only by following the Good Shepherd will we find the protection we need. — “The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” (Jn. 10:12-13)
When our church vision and goals fail to align with this Christ-like intent, we lose that life-giving effect, and experience the first part of John 10:10. The exceeding abundance He came to give gets stolen. If we stay that course, we’ll not only fail to reach our potential but could see decline and maybe eventually self-destruct.
In addition to what you read here, the Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide gives four ways Jesus’ intent for life in Him should govern how we pursue vision and goal-setting.
For More on Being Christ-like, Go To: Resources about Christlikeness in the Church
All Posts about Vision Casting & Goal-Setting:
- Have a Vision that Expresses Your Purpose?
- Have a Vision That Clarifies Your Purpose?
- Have a Vision Challenging Enough to Reach Your Purpose?
- Who Sets the Vision?
- Behind the Great Commission
- Good Example of Mission & Vision
- No Specific Examples of Goals in the Great Commission?
- Christ-like Intent in Vision & Goal-Setting
- Christ-like Pursuit of Vision & Goals
- Christ as the Focus, Not the Vision & Goals
- Power to Grasp and Implement a New Vision for the Church
- Vision and Goals Born Out of Prayer
- Vision and Goals Grounded in the Gospel
- Vision and Goals Enveloped by Grace
- Vision and Goals Guided by the Holy Spirit
- Vision and Goals Pursued Through Spiritual Gifting
- Where Might God Want to Take Your Church?
- Vision Casting That Engages People
- Goal-Setting to Reach Our Vision
- Vision and Goals Protected by Spiritual Means
- Vision Problems Solved
- Vision and Goals Reflect the Hope We Have?
- Vision and Goals Rooted in God’s Word
- How a Leader’s Roles Affects Vision and Goals