To  really get your leaders on board with the vision that God has given you you are going to have to shape not only their thoughts but how they form them. Through the years countless books have been written on the church and what is going on inside and out. Most ministers/pastors  devote a great deal of time to reading these books along with their normal Bible Study routine.  Through these avenues we find inspiration and God begins birthing visions based on what hHe is revealing to us through these combinations of Scripture and teachings.

Here is the problem

Most church lay leaders are not deep in their Word much less reading other books about the church and culture so when we go to those leaders with a completed vision it is like we are talking an alien language.  So in the process once the vision is developed we will go back from the beginning

1. Take your leadership into a deep study of the Scriptural foundations of what the church is and what the church should be doing.   It has to all start in Scripture. As your leaderships sees you delving into Scripture and see the fundamental components of what you are leading them into their minds, eyes and hearts will be opened and they will be ready for the next step

2. Assign your leadership to read what you have read. As they read what inspired you they will start to glean terminology and methodology and see what roads you are going down this will prepare them to go even farther.

3. Discuss the readings with your team.  These discussions will help you direct the ideas that are forming in your team’s minds and it will plant concepts that God has already birthed in you but in smaller form than the completed vision.

In this way once you have laid the groundwork then the vision casting will unfold with more acceptance and excitement. As you talk they will understand and identify and they will feel connected enough to support the vision. Ultimately setting up a more successful task and satisfied leadership.

Tomorrow I will identify another way we can build our leadership.

A NEW JOB….ALMOST
It was very hard when I was offered a job after a year of searching and then being led on only to be
told that I wasn’t going to be hired after all. I cried a lot but in the end it was probably for the best
A NEW JOB
After all the drama that went on I found a job closer to home and made the big move to Greenville SC.
I will admit I was never as excited about this job as I was for the one in Charleston but I am beginning
to see a grand future here at Reedy Fork. God is slowly putting pieces in place and I can’t wait to see
what it looks like when done.
A NEW TOWN
I have NEVER lived anywhere but Rock Hill and it has been interesting living away from family and
friends. Challenging at times yes but also very freeing.
NEW SUCCESSES
I relish in blessings. I have had so many doors opened since I got here in Greenville. From Christian
Release time to Band Camps to Mentoring groups God just keeps expanding my influence. I went from
seeing 5 teenagers on our Wednesday night services to 20. I had 20 teens at my first Lock in I had 44
at the last. I am developing a Evangelism strategy that is drawing interest.
RENEWED LOVE
I rediscovered my Love for reading this past year. i have probably bought and read parts of close to
60 books this year. That doesn’t even count the Bible studies I have done. I had gone years without
reading much and wonder why I waited so long. I have to thank Tony Smith and Lee Clamp for the
words they shared with me in interviews back in 2007 that pushed me back into the habit of reading.

While all these are Good there are things I am eagerly anticipating in the new year.

A NEW PASTOR
It has been hard operating in a church with no pastor. The leadership that I have come so dependent
on is not there. Communication is lacking. People are disconnected. Church leadership is scattered. I
look forward to God bringing in a man to take us to the next level. One who is evangelistic, a visionary,
a Developer of people, is forward thinking but also who is a care giver and recognizes the value of
everyone person to the kingdom of God.

MORE GROWTH
I eagerly await the pouring out of God’s blessings as we begin to reach out to our community. I hope
to see lives being changed because of our church.

MORE BOOKS
I am hooked again and I have a reading list a mile long. I would actually like to finish some of the
books I have bought.

MORE FRIENDS
I am a people person and I am lacking some close friendships here in Greenville. I am praying for God
to bring another young family into our lives to have a friendship with. It would be good for me as well
as my wife.

2009 is going to be an awesome year I can feel it and I am sooooo ready for the Blessings God will pour out