Helping Others Own the Vision
Posted on 16 Sep 2021
by Roger and Pearlyn
“More is caught than taught. It is the same with passing on vision. During the recent Asia Pacific Emerging Leaders (APEL) workshop (‘Helping others own the vision’), we asked each other how the vision of the Navigators (disciple-making) was caught. Without exception, everyone said that they caught it from their leaders who trained them. The way that leaders live out the vision and their demonstration of what they understand of the vision make a significant impact on the lives of those they lead. Their words, actions and their obedience to God’s Word is of great influence to those under their care.
Has the Navigators’ vision transformed my life? If the vision has not transformed my life, I have not really caught it. Owning the vision transforms us. Without it, we are generally drawn to a path of least resistance and personal ambitions. When we realise what is on God’s heart and what truly matters to Him, we must live differently; not to do so is in essence, disobedience. When a vision has made a difference in my life, it won’t be difficult for the people I lead to see it as well. In time, transformation will happen for them too if they own the vision for themselves.
What struck me during the workshop was the challenge in passing on the vision in different contexts. Many delegates from different countries said that being able to see the vision and putting it into action are not the same. While it is our duty to pass on the vision, it is also up to our disciples to own it for themselves. God has to convict their hearts to make the choice to live it out. In the meantime, we can play our part by affirming and encouraging them whenever we see glimpses of obedience to God and His vision.”
– Roger
“God’s vision changes our perspective and our lives. It should. In Philippians 1:12-18, we learnt that Paul had an extraordinary view of what God was doing through his imprisonment. Paul wasn’t discouraged or bitter; he wasn’t fearful or hopeless. Rather, he remained steadfast and joyful despite his circumstances, exhorting the brethren towards faith and boldness in the Lord. I need to live out God’s vision in my life daily and continually before I can help others live it out for themselves.
In helping someone else own the vision, I have learnt that I need to be purposeful, persevering and prayerful.
Purposeful — hearing about the vision does not equate to owning the vision. We need to be intentional as we help key persons in the ministry grasp and live out God’s vision in their lives and not assume they will automatically own it.
Persevering — one of the practical applications is to reiterate what we know to those we are discipling. Akin to nurturing children, repetition is necessary in reminding, encouraging and warning. To do this, I need patience and discernment. Jesus knows His sheep, hence I ought to know those I am shepherding as well, lest there is a mismatch between where they are and what I am expecting. I am to love, affirm, and repeat with patience (and prayer) and wait for God’s transformative work in the lives of others to happen.
Prayerful — the work of transforming lives belongs to God. Like in 2 Kings 6:17, I have learnt to pray like Elisha for God to open the eyes of those I’m discipling to see God’s work, His Vision and Mission, and surrender to it. It’s not just about the vision; it’s about seeing God.”
– Pearlyn
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