The Power of Vision
Posted on May 24 2006 | Tagged as: leadership, learning
Over the past year I believe that God has directed a team within my school toward a vision that he is calling us to fulfill. Our school has existed for over twenty-five years and has been faithful to its mission.
We say that we exist to equip servant leaders in God’s kingdom for the next generation by educating and developing the whole person for the glory of God. We desire to fulfill our mission in the context of relationship and a family environment, while promoting and striving for excellence, and showing value to others through embracing God’s grace.
I believe the school is at a strategic point where God is calling us to continue to carry out that mission in new ways that could improve our school and better equip our students. In order to properly respond to God’s leading we have hired a consultant to help us. He will walk us through a process of prayerfully formulating and documenting a shared vision for the school. The leadership teams, faculty, staff, parents and students will all have a voice into the visioning process. We have covered this process in prayer for months and we are expecting an amazing result from God. I believe that the outcome of this process will compel people to get involved. We are planning two opportunities for our entire school community to enter into this discussion. We invite you to join us on June 12 and 14 at the school to discuss what the school could look like in three years. Please consider if this would be something you would be willing to attend.
Some may ask why it is important that we formulate a vision for the future. On Friday our consultant told a great personal story that served to illustrate the importance of casting vision, whether personally or corporately.
Larry, our consultant, is the oldest of nine children. His father was a CPA and worked very hard to provide for his family. It was not uncommon that his Dad would come to the table at the beginning of a meal to make an announcement. On this particular evening the family was seated at the table and Larry’s father exclaimed, “I have an announcement!” Larry said that all of the children groaned thinking this meant another child would be added to the dinner table in nine months. Larry’s father continued, “Your mother and I have decided that we are going to take you to Disneyland…” - the table erupted with loud cheers and shouts of celebration - “… in two years.”
“What you must be kidding?” Larry said out loud.
At first it was shocking and disappointing that they could not realize the dream right now, but it didn’t take long for the children to begin dreaming two years out. They began to imagine and anticipate how wonderful the trip would be. They began to plan and save money in order to make the experience everything they were dreaming. They arrived and had their wonder-full week at Disney. When it was over, Larry thought, “Now what?” It was time for a new vision.
That’s what’s so exciting about the Christian life; there are always new visions that God calls us to fulfill with him. It is exciting to imagine what God could be doing through our students, staff, and parents three years from now. I invite you to dream with us.
