550 Christian Coaching Foundations I please sign in

Week SEVEN objectives CHAPTER 10 CLARIFYING THE VISION WHY VISION WHAT DOES VISION DO? COACHES AND VISION GETTING THE BROADER PICTURE FINDING THE VISION KEEPING THE VISION ALIVE KEEPING VISION IN PERSPECTIVE

Why vision? Without vision, a people will perish. Effective leaders carry vision People will have clear direction Vision leads the leader John Maxwell said – show me a leader without vision and I’ll show you a leader who isn’t going anywhere Take time to apply vision-finding principles for yourself as a coach – if you know how to find it for yourself – you will be able to coach others on how to find it too.

Vision Big visions bring big commitments and lifts people out of the monotony of their everyday lives and puts them in a new world filled with opportunity, challenge, and hope. Visions can involve millions of people Visions can also be very personal and limited to you and vision for one person in your life, and could be specific to one area of your life Coaching stimulates vision and moves people forward Vision involves clarifying the present, focusing on the future, and reaching goals by taking ACTION Vision takes overcoming obstacles

COACHES STIMULATE VISION MOVE PEOPLE FORWARD CLARIFY THE PRESENT FOCUS ON THE FUTURE COACH TO REACH GOALS BY TAKING ACTION COACH TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES HELP PEOPLE GET A MENTAL PICTURE OF WHERE THEY ARE GOING

THEY CARRIED THE VISION FOR THE PEOPLE Moses & joshua Among most successful leaders in the bible…. WHY??? THEY CARRIED THE VISION FOR THE PEOPLE

Vision is not a dream but a reality that has yet to come into existence - Neil Snyder, james dowd, and diane morse Houghton coauthors of vision, values and courage

vision Clear picture of something that we want to have exist in the future Encourages people to think beyond what is Visualize what can be or will be Inspires leaders and attracts followers Captures the imagination and excites people to achieve dreams About potential for the future Anchored to the realities of the present A picture of where we are now and where we should be Can be described in a few words – but also describes details of the vision

The power of Vision – George barna Stats Most people do not have an understanding of the of God’s vision for the ministries they are trying to lead. Most ministries make little impact on their communities Most ministries make little impact on those in their ministries Not even 1 out of 10 pastors of protestant churches can articulate the vision Most know about the “concept” of vision but few have GOD’s vision in place As a result people fall into spiritual complacency, acceptance, and mediocricy

The power of vision – George barna Transcends time – WOW! Grasping God’s vision requires commitment and investment in the vision Vision is clear Vision is preferable to the current state Vision is from God Vision and mission are related but distinct

The power of vision – George barna Mission is a general statement of ministry objectives; it is philosophic Vision is a specific, detailed statement of direction and uniqueness; it is strategic For vision to have impact it must be shared God created a personal vision that fits you perfectly Vision is detailed Vision is people oriented Vision replaces fear with energy and hope Catching the vision can be a lonely and exhausting process

FINDING THE VISION Visions can be created or discovered Created Visions come from the innovative thinking of individuals or groups Discovered Visions are pictures of the future that come from God

PRAY Do you or the people you coach really want God’s vision? Are you, as a coach ready to work towards making the vision a reality? Spend time in Prayer - both of you together, in agreement, and individually.

DON’T RUSH THE PROCESS When you have it, you will know. Clarifying the vision is not a rush time Wait on God, His timing is always perfect Discern His guidance and trust the Holy Spirit will make it clear

LOOK INSIDE Remember to reflect on your gifts, values, and passion – these are the CORE of your vision Ponder these questions What really MOVES you? What makes you CRY? What brings a glow of JOY in your life? What arouses ENTHUSIASM?

Discerning a vision is neither straightforward nor predictable Discerning a vision is neither straightforward nor predictable. Sometimes it takes a few weeks of diligent effort; sometimes it takes years. The process is perhaps more important to god than the outcome because the effort we go through draws us closer to him. George barna, research, author of the power of vision

GET INFORMATION It’s about the future, but it comes from the present Look at your world, what could you change, and what should you change? Vision comes from dissatisfaction with the way things are and a desire to make it better God ordained Vision will be aligned with what God is up to in the world – Andy Stanley Look at your community Notice what is going on and TRUST God to show you how you fit into God’s plan

LEARN FROM VISIONARY PEOPLE Vision’s can be all encompassing of you and your life, or vision can be for each area of your life. Create a vision for everything, IMAGINE IF… Seek out visionary people – Don’t limit your learning to people you know Learn from the lives of visionary people Listen to videos, podcasts, etc Read books

GET A VISION CHECK Every vision is different Good visions share similar characteristics Review table 10-1 for a vision check… If you are missing a lot of these…you need to go back to the drawing board

Evaluating your vision Consistent with Scripture? Visions from God doesn’t violate the Word of God

Evaluating your vision Consistent with your strengths, spiritual gifts, values and passions?

Evaluating your vision Clear and Concise?

Evaluating your vision Characterized by high ideals?

Evaluating your vision Ambitious?

Evaluating your vision Scary?

Evaluating your vision Unique?

Evaluating your vision Compelling?

VISION ERODING INFLUENCES THE VISION MAY NOT BE FROM GOD VISION MAY BE TOO COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND OR REMEMBER NO DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE VISION THERE MAY BE NO CLEAR UNDERLYING VALUES THERE MAY BE NO ENCOURAGEMENT THERE MAY BE NO FRESH REMINDERS OF THE NEED THERE MAY BE NO PROGRESS THE VISION MAY BE ALLOWED TO FADE THE VISION GETS BURIED

KEEPING THE VISION ALIVE Coaches can encourage and energize clients as they go through the vision-finding process Give constant care and attention Maintain your relationship with God, Vision is expansive and must be regularly weighed against God’s plans Make sure your vision is clear and concise – easy to remember, easy to explain Make a commitment to the vision Make sure you have clear underlying values Stay encouraged and set up ways to be encouraged Set up fresh reminders of the need Persevere – even when you don’t see immediate fruit Read the vision regularly Schedule regular Vision Casting meetings to make sure everyone is on the same page

KEEPING VISION IN PERSPECTIVE All of our work needs to be kept within the perspective of God’s greater plans and sovereign control over our lives and circumstances. Make sure that as a coach you are not pushing people to a vision that you create Make sure that the client is not taking on a vision that is influenced by others in their life Give your clients a safe space to imagine