Solomon once wrote, “Where there is no vision the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). He wasn’t talking about a clever vision statement on your web site. He was talking about clear direction from the Lord; words that are spoken, repeated and remembered . He also wrote, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 21:18 NIV). Those words  are like seeds that will produce a harvest. Visioning is not a post-modern, new-age process. It is a God-process. When we hear from Him and share what we have heard, those words set amazing things in motion.

So why is it so difficult to define God’s vision for our churches? One reason is because, before we can talk about the future, we have to do the hard work of developing a clear, honest picture of our present realities. This series of blogs is designed to introduce you to the tools to do just that.  To see the present clearly we must look through four primary lens. This week we are looking through the Political Lens.

I realize politics has become a scary, divisive word filled with images of manipulation and back-stabbing. If that’s what you are thinking, relax, that’s not the lens we are going to look through. The Political Lens simply seeks to understand how major decisions are made in your church; i.e. how authority is distributed.

Historically there are three models used in the church.

1. The Congregational Model

This is where everyone in the church has equal authority. This model is at best inefficient, inequitable and ineffective. At worst it is a set up for church conflict and division. It is inefficient because nothing of any significance happens until the entire congregation meets.

 This model is at best inequitable and ineffective and unbiblical.

It is inequitable because a vocal minority usually winds up driving the decisions made. It is ineffective because instead of uniting the congregation, voting always leads to winners and losers (I’m guessing you hate to lose as much as I do!). Most importantly, it simply isn’t Biblical. There is no biblical model of the church operating this way. It is a model forged in Rome not Heaven.

 2. The Solo Leader Model

Many churches in reacting to the congregational model have swung the authority pendulum to the other extreme. The senior pastor or one patriarchal layman is large and in charge. This person hears from God. Everyone else lines up. There are lots of problems with this model. It ignores the creativity and gifts of other prospective leaders in the church. It sets the key leader up for pride (which we all know goes before destruction)  and if the leader gets hit by a bus, a void of leadership is suddenly created.

What happens if the solo leader gets hit by a bus?

 3. The Christocracy Model

This is the model where Jesus is the head. We are the body. Everyone in the body is gifted in some way. Everyone is empowered to use their gifts by having the authority they need to fulfill the responsibilities they have accepted. If a member wants more authority they don’t get it by popularity or election. They get by accepting more ministry responsibility! There are leaders in this system. They are people recognized has having one or more of the five leadership gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4. Often that is a visionary pastor with a circle of other  leaders around him/her.  After 40+ years of leading growing ministries, I’ve never had to lead through a major church conflict or split.  I believe that is because this system is equitable, effective and most importantly Biblical!

Before asking God to give you a vision of your church’s future, ask yourself, “How are decisions made in our church? Is there a trust relationship between the leaders and members? Is there is genuine sense of empowerment for those who accept responsibility to serve? Is Jesus Christ really the head?