Common Characteristics of Pastors of Growing Congregations
by Wesley S.K. Daniel

Pastors of Growing Congregations Have a Clear-Cut Vision
Pastors of growing churches possess a clear sense of vision of where God is leading them and their congregations. They are driven by a sense of calling, a sense of urgency, a sense of passion to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and a sense of determination to accomplish specific tasks related to growth and vitality.

I can think of numerous people in secular and church history who had a clear vision. Time and space will not allow me to talk about all of them in great detail, but people such as Mahatma Gandhi, William Carey, William Wilberforce, Martin Luther, Abraham Lincoln, John Wesley, Francis Asbury, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, and numerous others were giants of vision, courage, and faith. They had a vision of what they were called to accomplish, and they undauntedly pursued that vision until it was accomplished. Lovett Weems, in his book Church Leadership, says the most important duty of a leader is to lead in establishing an appropriate and shared vision. He stresses that establishing a vision is a task that cannot be delegated. Effective leaders must accept their spiritual responsibility of visioning.

In the Scripture we read of Nehemiah who received a vision to rebuild a destroyed city:

"One of my brothers, Hanani, came with certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem. They replied, 'The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire'" (Nehemiah 1:2-3, NRSV).

Most of the people in Jerusalem were well aware that the walls had crumbled. Many people were deeply saddened by the crisis, but God laid the vision of rebuilding on the heart of one man, Nehemiah. All of a sudden, this crisis was not simply the problem for all the people in Jerusalem. For Nehemiah and his people, it had become a personal burden and a vision to rebuild. He says, "When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 1:4, NRSV). It was God who had laid a burden in a very special way on the heart of Nehemiah. It is important to note here that at the same time that God was laying a burden and responsibility on Nehemiah's heart, God was also imparting a divine vision.

A burden might also be described as the "current reality." A vision, therefore, might be described as the "preferred future." In my own experience, I have discovered that visions often emerge out of burdens or current reality. When John Knox cried out, "Give me Scotland or I die," he had both a burden for those perishing souls and an enormous vision that all of Scotland be brought to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech is a perfect example of a man who had a burden and vision that one day the African American people would completely be set free.

In Nehemiah 2:12, Nehemiah says, "I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem." Nehemiah had received a vision from God to rebuild the walls of the destroyed city. A vision is what God places in one's heart and soul to accomplish specific tasks for the glory of God. Nehemiah's burden translates into a mighty and glorified vision for God.

So it must be with pastors and leaders of growing churches: Leaders who have a clear sense of vision and direction about where God may be calling them to be and do is imperative!

(Note: "Common Characteristics of Pastors of Growing Churches" will be continued in the next issue of Offering Christ Today.)

Wesley S. K. Daniel, former staff of the General Board of Discipleship, is now serving as a superintendent in the Des Moines District of the Iowa Annual Conference.

Posted 9-8-03.