Catherine and the kids have been with us in Carlisle where Janet & I are working with YWAM for three months. Emma the Base Leader and I were chatting about vision and how to recruit new staff for new bits of the vision. Just as Emma was expressing the difficulty of getting buy-in to vision, Josh (21/2) was spinning round on a cushion shouting exuberently 'Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya'. The perfect example. Huge energy, unbridled enthusiasm, total focus on task, but other than noise, no end product!!
What followed was even funnier (see video clip below). Becky (the visionary) trying to get Josh (the enthusiastic missionary) to implement the vision. Result, Becky persistently complaining 'I don't think it will ever get done and Josh happily spinning and shouting 'ya, ya, ya' in the corner. In the midst of this our fearless Base Leader is imparting encouragement and wisdom to Becky who is resolutely confident that the vision is beyond her and her teams meagre resources.
So how do we do it? How do we avoid those with vision becoming disappointed, disillusioned? How do we avoid willing workers spending their energy extravagantly on the wrong thing? Scripture tells us that without a vision people run round like headless chickens, but even if there is vision, if it isn't communicated effectively or received, the end result is the same.... Watch the video and post your thoughts!
It made me think - I wonder how often God has vision for me, longs for me to get involved only to look later and find I am in a corner, spinning around effectively screaming 'ya, ya, ya'.
I love the parallel between the kids running round shouting and the idea that vision needs buy-in. Food for thought! I hope you manage to find a solution and get people behind the vision so that it doesn't begin to fizzle out.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that what so many of us do though - complain and winge a lot, but don't do anything about it? Then there are some who catch so many of the visions, and work at them so hard, and end up just a tad burned out... It's a conundrum that is ongoing. It's so true - if you want anything done, ask a busy person!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm ... effective communication is crucial, but perhaps more so is the ability to inspire so that someone's vision is not only THEIR vision, but others begin to own it too. No-one is going to expend a lot of energy on something that is essentially someone else's - or if they do, they burn out as Natalie says. Perhaps this is something that the visionary needs to seek real anointing for. As for the energetic worker - sometimes they need coming along side of, praising them for the efforts they are making, helping them channel their energy to maximum effect so they too don't just burn out.
ReplyDeleteJosh just wanted to have fun! And becky thought whining would sort that out. I've been a Becky and a Josh.
ReplyDelete