Elements of Vision

As a means to both understand and remember the working elements of vision for ministry, I have used some past-learned concepts in a mnemonic form. The first element is to find a need followed by the second, plant the seed. The third and equally important element is to finish the deed. Full attention to each element is essential for a successful outcome to the ministry, which is the ultimate goal to which the vision is directed. Vision for vision's sake is no ministry. Ministry must result in changed lives, which is the fruit that is harvested from the activity. Otherwise, what you have is a program.

Find a Need

It might seem that finding a need would be a simple task. All one need do is to look around one's environment, and needs seem to present themselves. However, such is not the case. Much of our perspective is colored by our training and experience, which in turn are often colored by the world's point of view of what we see. The world often views life's inequities from the perspective of fairness, whereas God views them from the perspective of justice. One must look beyond the surface symptom to find the core underlying cause and, hence, the true need. Let me give an example: at the Dream Center in Los Angeles, we drove buses downtown to Skid Row for every service to pick up homeless people who were also often hungry. We promised them a meal, after the service. We also offered them the possibility to get off the street and live at the Dream Center. The catch: they had to join the Discipleship program, which was a three-year rehabilitation that frequently started with a 90-day detox stay at a facility in the desert outside Los Angeles. Now, most of them could stay at one of several Missions downtown, which would get them out of their cardboard boxes or tents and off the streets. However, many of them refused to do so because the Missions had rules they would have to follow. Those that were truly down on their luck usually would not have a problem with this. Those who were the victims of their own pride and rebellion, however, would balk at the idea of having to submit to someone else's authority. Thus, their homeless condition, in either case, was a symptom of a deeper need. If they were simply down on their luck and needed a fresh start, the transition was an easy one. However, if the latter condition were the case, then they would have to work past their pride, often a formidable obstacle, to obtain the humility necessary to make the choice. Thus, the free meal became a "hook" to get them to come to service and allow the Holy Spirit to work on their hearts, as well as their mind, will, and emotions. You must identify the deeper need and keep that as your focus, even as you meet the surface need.