Revelation Vs Vision

One of the things I studied in graduate school regarding church growth was "vision casting."  The idea behind it was that, as a leader, you had to develop a vision of the growth in numbers or activity and then proactively transfer your view to the members. Once that was accomplished, you could then set goals and then assign tasks.

The idea is used not only in the church but in corporate America as well, where I think it is better suited. I say that because vision, in this context, is what we dream up. And then, as Christians, having decided what we want to do, we begin asking God to bless our plans. Do you see a problem here?

In corporate America, when God may not even be a consideration, personal vision is what one must rely on. But for the Church and the Christian, dreaming up what we want to do is antithetical to being a disciple or follower. To follow, one must know where his Leader is going or directing. 

What this means is that, rather than dream up what we want and then ask God to bless our efforts, we begin by asking God what He wants and then ask for direction or revelation of His will. To do otherwise is to be self-directed: "Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint..." (Prov 29:18).

The problem with being self instead of God-directed is that "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death" (Prov 14:12).  While we may give it our best thinking, we may still be way off the Mark of what God would have us do, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares The Lord" (Isa 55:8).

Listening for the Holy Spirit through prayer, Bible study, Christian counsel and personal circumstance, rather than developing a vision, is to invite revelation.  The God can and will bless. Jus' Sayn.