3 Questions That Will Help You Write an Inspirational Vision Statement

Have you ever driven a car with the wheels out of alignment?

If so, you know what happens. Even though you try to keep the car in the middle of the road, it pulls to one side. It’s a constant struggle to keep traveling in the intended direction.

Over time, misalignment causes major problems. The tires wear out. And much worse, the poorly aimed wheels could pull you off the road into a crash.

Some organizations are like that car. Out of alignment.

Many churches and organizations do in fact have a vision, but they don’t have a clear vision statement that keeps everyone aligned.

Without deep buy-in to the vision, team members may not understand where the organization is really going. They drift and end up pulling the entire team in the wrong direction.

It’s our job as leaders to cast vision that compels our entire team to lean in.

You might think, “A paycheck and good benefits should be enough to motivate the team, right?”

Wrong.

People will work for a paycheck, but they’ll give their life to a vision and mission they believe in.

For a deeper dive into building a church that lasts, get my new book Lead Like It Matters: 7 Leadership Principles for a Church That Lasts.

Key characteristics of great vision statements

Leadership expert Sam Chand says that for your vision to be effective it should be three things:

1. Memorable

If people can’t remember your vision, your organization will never have the It factor—that secret sauce—you need to thrive.

If you want a vision statement that’s easy to remember, make it crisp and clear. Short is best.

2. Portable

Your team should be able to easily communicate the vision to others. You’ll want everyone on your staff and in your church to be able to give “the vision pitch.”

You should be able to wake any one of them up in the middle of the night (please don’t actually do this) and they should be able to define what your organization is all about.

3. Motivational

If your vision doesn’t stir people and move them to action, the vision is too small.

Your vision must be something that burns in your heart but is too big for one person to do on their own.

It should capture attention and be irresistibly compelling. It should cause agitation, ambition, ignition, and maybe even competition to reach your goals.

So, you know your vision needs to be memorable, portable, and motivational ... but how do you create the most compelling version of that vision statement for your team or organization?

3 Questions to Help You Write a Compelling Vision Statement

Write out your answers to the three questions below. Look at the phrases and words. What jumps out at you?

1. What breaks your heart, keeps you awake at night, or wrecks you?

2. What can your organization be best in the world at?

I have to give credit to Jim Collins’ book Good to Great for this question. I talk about why I love Jim’s book a bit more here.

3. If you left your organization tomorrow, what do you hope would continue on forever?

As you study your answers to these questions, your passions and unique callings should crystallize into clear words and phrases. Use these to create your compelling vision statement.

The Rest Is Up to You and God

You know your team best. Only you can determine what the best vision is for you and your organization.

I can’t tell you exactly what your vision needs to be; only God can do that.

What’s inside you that God wants to draw out and use to change the lives of others?

Seek God.
Hear from God.
Receive His vision.
Let it overwhelm you.
Let it consume you.
Let it burden you.
Cast the vision.
Communicate the vision.
And watch the vision spread.

Lead Like It Matters

A compelling and clear vision statement will help your church or organization develop your It factor. But having a great vision is just the beginning.

My book Lead Like It Matters: 7 Leadership Principles for a Church That Lasts helps you fully understand what It is, how to keep It, and how to get It back if you’ve lost It.

Pick up your copy here!