PUTTING YOUR VISION OUT THERE - my first post!

So, I've had a few months to think about actually starting this thing. I was inspired by David Wakerly's site and blog. You should check it out at http://kidinspiration.com Also check out his blog frequently - http://childrensministryblog.com

Let's talk this posting about vision and you in children's ministry. Oh, I have my opinions and ideas about methods for Children's Church. But, that's for a different posting. I want to let you in on some practical ways that you can develop your vision for your Children's Ministry.

Proverbs 29:18 says: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The NIV says, "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint." Whoa! Pretty Down to earth, don't you think? What does it mean to cast off restraint? When something is restrained, in this case, it means that it is under control. To cast off restraint, simply means to become "out of controlÂ…" chaos if you will. Here is what I'm gathering from this verse. The people that you are ministering with and to need to know that there is a vision to continue doing what needs to be done. In other words, if you don't have a vision...… Get one!

Vision is simply defined as a detailed picture you have in your heart that descriptively answers the five "W's" and one "H" of journalism:… What, who, where, why, when and how. Does your vision answer and describe the above? Would you like it to? Would you like to take some time to develop the vision you already have?

In the olden days (ten years ago - HA) this is what I did:
I went to an office supply store and bought the following things: A clear view 1" 3-ring binder, some three-hole punched legal pads, some three-hole punched divider tabs. I labeled each tab with the five "W's" and one "H" and put these in the 3-ring binder.

At the top of my first legal pad I wrote in huge letters "What". Then proceeded to write down exactly what my vision was going to accomplish. What things did I want to see accomplished? What style of ministry did I see myself involved in? I went into as much detail as possible.

Then comes the "Who" pages (not the band). I Began to write out who I saw myself ministering to. I was specific. What were the looks on their faces? Where did they live? I had to dream some more. Then I wrote out who I saw working with me in this ministry. What would they be doing?

The "Where" notebook. "Where," as in the "Where is this ministry headed?" What areas will I dive into on my way? Where do I want to see the workers going in their lives? Where does my family fit into this ministry? Where will I find the people I'm going to minister to/with? Where is my vision headed?

Why am I doing what I'm doing? "Why", was simply my purpose. I was forming a mission statement for why I was going to accomplish my goals and develop my standards.

When did I want these different events, dreams and goals to take place. I drew out a simple timetable. What needs to be done first? I really needed some direction from God to put me on the right path.

How was I going to accomplish these dreams? How will I train these workers? How will I develop policies and procedures? How will my staff assist me?

Today, I just use my laptop and find a quiet place to go and dream and type. Don't be scared to dream and cast out farther than you can comprehend and then bring it in to a reality. This way it's easier for me to copy, paste, cut, edit, delet, reword and actually create something that I can provide for our workers to see and go and do. Give them the vision and motivate them toward it!

Take some this New Year and develop your vision so you can move ahead in the plans that God is giving to you.

The next posting I will share my ideas for taking a vision aputtinging it out in front of your workers and your entire church, until then,

--Jamie