VISION TO DIE FOR

on thursday, bill hybels discussed the value of vision ownership - the idea that everyone in the organization owns the vision to the point that they are willing to sacrifice whatever necessary to see the vision become reality. i was encouraged because this is exactly where we are right now. there is a difference between owners and hirelings. hirelings give up at the first sign of trouble and will run when things don't go exactly their way. owners are committed to protect and will often risk their lives for their sheep. in many countries this type of ownership is life-threatening. in our setting, life-threatening is expressed more like comfort-threatening.

in the early days of any church-plant, the risk is high and the sacrifice is great - both on the part of the pastors and also those who have committed to the launch team. we see a vision for something that goes beyond our current comfort and experience. why do we sacrifice? because it's worth it. the vision for the springs is bigger than any sacrifice that we can make in the short term. we have something unique to offer our community and it's going to take a team of people sold out to the vision to see it through. over the next six weeks, we will be meeting with families to discuss the vision one-on-one, to explain and answer questions. every time we sit down and share, the vision gets refined and is clearer to see.

what things keep you from owning a vision? maybe its the vision of your company? the vision of our church?