Vision Insights From the [Link].
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May 24, 2010 Edition
By
George Bullard
Ministry Partner with The Columbia Partnership
Voice: 803.622.0923, E-mail: GBullard@[Link]
Web Site: [Link]
This is a collection of Vision Insights from George Bullard who has been involved in strategic planning with
congregations, denominations, and parachurch organizations for 35 years. For the foreseeable future a new
insight will be posted each Monday through Friday on
George’s Twitter account at [Link]/BullardJournal and
on his Facebook Profile page at [Link]/BullardJournal.
About once per week and update of the full collection will be posted to his blog at [Link].
Vision Insight 001: Vision is a movement of God that is memorable rather than a statement by
humankind that is memorized.
Vision Insight 002: Vision is not what leaders cast and followers catch. It is something by which
leaders and followers are captivated.
Vision Insight 003: The only vision that will work is God’s vision. Neither the pastor’s vision nor the
board’s vision is sufficient.
Vision Insight 004: Visionary Leadership is about who we are, what we believe, where we are
heading, and how we are getting there.
Vision Insight 005: Vision plus Intentionality is the core formula for an Enduring Visionary Leadership
Community to follow.
Vision Insight 006: Any similarity between the typical committee-developed vision statement and true
vision is purely accidental.
Vision Insight 007: Vision is not so much written as it is experienced. Vision must be sensed and
experienced rather than read or heard.
Vision Insight 008: When considering how vision comes, it may be helpful to consider how the New
Testament came. By experience first, and then written.
Vision Insight 009: Vision is experienced. We reflect on it and share it orally with our full heart, soul,
mind, and strength. Then we write it.
Vision Insight 010: We write down the vision we have experienced to have a consistent historic and
dynamic sharing of the vision with congregation.
Vision Insight 011: Vision is the super high octane fuel that drives the spiritual strategic journey of a
congregation or denomination.
Vision Insight 012: Where there is no vision a congregation is confused and travels in circles without
any clear sense of direction.
May 24, 2010 Edition 1 Copyright 2010, Rev. George Bullard, [Link].
Vision Insight 013: Vision is about leadership rather than management. Management should be
accountable to visionary leadership.
Vision Insight 014: If congregations focus on the pastor's vision, when the pastor leaves vision often
leaves. Vision from God never leaves.
Vision Insight 015: When congregations expect the pastor to provide vision, they often mean a vision
that agrees with their vision.
Vision Insight 016: When visionary leadership is not present in a congregation, it creates a vacuum
into which management rushes.
Vision Insight 017: For vision to be effective in a congregation it must be owned by at least 21
percent of adults present for weekly worship.
Vision Insight 018: The founding vision in a congregation often empowers the congregation for the
first generation of its life.
Vision Insight 019: Following the first generation of the life of a congregation vision must be recast
and re-owned every seven to nine years.
Vision Insight 020: A congregation captivated by vision is always asking how decisions and actions
will help them fulfill their vision.
Vision Insight 021: Congregations without vision become increasing susceptible to unhealthy conflict
and control by a few.
Important Things to Know
George Bullard is a Ministry Partner with The Columbia Partnership. He is also General Secretary [executive director] of the
North American Baptist Fellowship of the Baptist World Alliance. The Columbia Partnership is a non-profit Christian ministry
organization focused on transforming the capacity of the North American Church to pursue and sustain Christ-centered
ministry. Travel Free Learning is a leadership development emphasis. For more information about products and services
check out the web site at [Link], send an e-mail to [Link]@[Link],
or call 803.622.0923.
May 24, 2010 Edition 2 Copyright 2010, Rev. George Bullard, [Link].