Many people ask me how I became a "clarity evangelist." It all started in the window between July 2001 – December of 2002. In that time I was given the opportunity to work with scores of churches across the country. My world was polarized as I had my first "Nehemiah experience." It wasn't walls that were in disrepair but the quality and nature of visionary leadership.
The urgent need of the church in North America today is clarity. Leaders have not disciplined themselves to pray, listen, think and dialogue with their teams in a way that produces a shared, vivid understanding of where God is taking their ministry. I have never encountered one that did not have an immediate need for better clarity--and most have a desperate need. How would you know if you have clarity? You have it if you can answer “yes” to these questions:
1. In the last 30 days did you hear church members talk about your church’s vision?
2. Is your church’s identity unquestionably contagious?
3. Does your mission roll off your tongue with heartfelt conviction?
4. Does your staff embrace the value of values?
5. Have you planned an event in the next six months that will help your staff see God’s future for your church?
6. Does your staff enthusiastically agree about how to accomplish the church’s mission?
7. Do you have a process on paper that shows how your church will develop leaders?
8. Does all church communication reflect and reinforce your vision?
9. Do you know the next ministry to launch or staff to hire?
10. Do you have 100% confidence that all of the time, money and resources going into the church are being utilized to make disciples at the end of the day?