Vision is not something that it seems many youth leaders spend much time developing. Perhaps this is because it seems almost ungodly to do so, assuming that vision is taking God out of the ministry as we develop our own vision for the work we are involved in. There is a fundamental flaw in this kind of thinking, however.
Vision can be from God. If we believe that God wants our youth ministry to grow, you can be quite certain that he has a plan for that growth. The Bible is full of promises about God’s plans for his people, and is clear that he wants us to see visions of the future, how his Church might be. I believe having a vision for our ministry will enable us to be far more effective and fruitful in our outreach and discipleship of young people. What is God’s vision for the youth ministry you are a part of?
For some people, vision can be seen as a restricting mechanism for our work because they almost feel like the route has been completely worked out and arriving at a destination, almost like some kind of holy bus route, where we must jump on the bus and obediently go from stop to stop, picking up passengers along the way. I think vision is slightly different from this because we are not perfect people and don’t always hear God’s voice accurately. A better picture is that of a sailing yacht. The crew agree on a destination but are subject to the direction and strength of the wind to decide on the best path of voyage to reach their destination. Vision is like this. God provides us with a clear picture of where he wants to take us and by his Holy Spirit, blows us along the path he wants to take us. This may include some unexpected routes, detours and stops. It certainly did when you consider the Israelites when they were led out of Egypt and eventually to the promised land. They knew what God had promised them but the route was not exactly the most obvious!
Having vision will bring clarity to your ministry in five ways:
1. vision provides direction
As we prayerfully seek God for his vision for what we do, we gain direction as to where he is wanting us to lead his people. It is easy in youth ministry, as in life in general, to go round in circles, being busy but not really moving much. Many people live life like this. As someone said, “life is what happens to us rather than something we live”. Wouldn’t it be far more rewarding if we really lived our lives? The same is true for our leadership. If God has a plan for you and your ministry, we need to spend time seeking his will so we gain his perspective and direction. Having discerned this vision, it provides confidence for moving forward, even if it requires courage or steps of faith.
2. vision enables a plan to be developed
If we know where the destination is, it is easier to think through the possible steps we might take to reach that point. Your vision might be for your group to be a place where people feel comfortable inviting friends along to encounter Jesus for themselves. However, your starting point might be a group of non-Christians. So the first step probably won’t be getting them to invite friends (although it might be). The first step might be to make sure friendships are strong amongst the current group. The next step might be to help them encounter God and grow in this relationship. Then perhaps you focus on inviting others along. Without the vision, we only ever really think about the next step and not the whole process. The vision also provides more optimism in the success of the steps we might take.
3. vision provides boundaries for review
If we are to be effective we must be good at reviewing what we do. It was drummed into me when I trained as a youth minister. Recording, reviewing and processing all that we do is so helpful for improving and seeing what God is doing amongst us. Having a vision helps give us boundaries for knowing whether we are heading in the right direction or not. We can be very busy but not actually getting anywhere.
4. vision attracts others
Communicating vision with the young people, the youth leaders and the wider church is a fantastic way to get more people on board with what you’re doing. If you struggle to attract new volunteers, try casting your vision more publicly. If vision is of God, it will excite his people. Running a youth group is nice; letting people know where God is taking that group is exciting and inspiring. Let others know the vision and you will have more people praying for you, helping you and encouraging you.
5. vision keeps you moving
Youth work is hard work. It can sometimes feel unrewarding as we are clearing away late at night, once again on our own. Vision can give us the energy to keep on going when we feel tired or fed up. If we believe the vision to be from God, it will inspire us to keep following him and what he is wanting to do with our group.
No one builds a house without first deciding what they want it to look like and then creating detailed plans of how best to build it. Neither should we try to build the house of God, his people, without seeking him for his design and plans for them. If you don’t already have a vision for your youth ministry, block some time out in your diary soon where you can start praying and discerning God’s vision for you and your church at this time. Include others in the process and keep praying it through. Then once you’ve got it, go for it!
What vision do you have for your youth ministry? In what ways would you like your group to grow? What might hold you back from seeking God’s vision? Please leave a comment or question below.