Developing a Vision for Ministry in the 21st Century
Overview
As one of the first vision books on the market, this book’s first edition was recognized as a groundbreaking resource. It was given a Christianity Today Your Church Recommended Resource award in 1993 and won favorable reviews.
Now revised and updated, this second edition includes sample vision statements and additional graphics and visuals to enhance the book’s appeal. It also clarifies the difference between a vision and a mission statement and shows how vision relates to four key ministry concepts.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
- Explains the importance of a vision to church growth
- Offers sample visions
- Includes visuals and graphics
- Clarifies the difference between visions and mission statements
- It's a Must! The Importance of a Vision
- What Are We Talking About? The Definition of a Vision
- The Vision Personnel: Giving Birth to Your Vision, Part 1
- The Vision Process: Giving Birth to Your Vision, Part 2
- It's a Vision! Communicating Your Vision
- Overcoming Initial Inertia: The Implementation of Your Vision, Part 1
- Overcoming Obstinate Obstacles: The Implementation of Your Vision, Part 2
- Bittersweet: The Preservation of Your Vision
Top Highlights
“The mission determines what the direction is; while the vision, in particular, concerns what that direction looks like.” (Page 18)
“Their desire is to help members achieve their full potential for ministry in Christ” (Page 73)
“Strong leaders possess a vision as great as God and as specific as a zip code.” (Page 10)
“Once the vision is cultivated and in place, the leader must take responsibility to keep it before the ministry community. He does this directly and indirectly through others in the ministry. Without the regular casting and recasting of the dream, people in the community are quick to stop dreaming and often behave as if there is no vision at all.” (Page 51)
“He must be a vision caster. In this capacity, the leader wears three hats—cultivator, communicator, and clarifier of the vision.” (Pages 50–51)
This book is the best one available for the church planter who wants to lead with vision and purpose.
—The Bookshelf
An excellent resource. . . . A practical, useful help for the pastor who desires to move beyond a maintenance ministry and see his church grow.
—Mid-America Theological Journal
Helps the reader give birth to, implement, and preserve vision. . . . A great resource in academic settings, giving foundational principles for visionaries. . . . Malphurs makes for the good ‘midwife’ bringing forth the vision, taking the reader through a step-by-step process from conception to birth.
—Ministries Today
Aubrey Malphurs (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is senior professor of pastoral ministries and leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary and president of the Malphurs Group. He engages in church consulting and training, and is the author of more than 20 ministry books, including Doing Church: A Biblical Guide for Leading Ministries through Change.