A Continuous Process

Discerning and moving into vision is a cyclical process requiring both prayer and action at each stage. The diagram below illustrates this process, although it should be recognised that many churches and organisations can be in all four phases at once as they pursue different (but hopefully complementary!) visions for different elements of the church's mission and ministry.

The first phase of discerning the vision and direction that God may be laying before the church requires considerable prayer. . Action at this stage is limited to writing down what that vision may be, and sharing it more broadly with the church. (Resources on "Visionary Leadership" and "Sharing Vision" may help.)

Phase two creates the plans to achieve the vision - the projects, changes in organisation and activities that will be needed. The amount of action required increases as plans and strategies are drawn up, but this stage also requires careful prayer - the plans need to be the right ones!

The third phase sees the implementation of the changes and projects required to achieve the vision. Those who are action oriented can get on with the multiple tasks required, but the pray-ers also need to be fully involved. Any change brings challenge and conflict. Prayer can help this by minimising the conflict, and by directing pastoral care into the situations where it is needed.

Finally, a period of reflection enables a church to pray through the action it has just taken. Does it need amending? Are there further steps required? This reflection is likely to develop into seeking the next part of the vision and leads back into the first phase of the process. This reflection should seek human views and feelings, but also through prayer, seek God's viewpoint!

Click here for some thoughts on year round prayer for all aspects of the vision cycle

The Vision Cycle

A Continuous Process