Vision is overrated if what we mean by vision is pure numbers, statements like, “our church’s vision is 1500 people”. That really isn’t vision, and that kind of statement is not empowering and therefore overrated. Vision that empowers has to capture our imagination, has to connect to those we serve. Then vision becomes powerful, it interprets what we do and what we don’t do, which in turn feeds us hope in the seasons we seem to be hopeless.
Vision is not some declaration, but arises more from a call, from a heart that is on fire for something that really matters. Then, once the leader has that vision that grips the soul, all other competing visions will hold no allure. Then the leader will lead with passion and put fire in the lives of those also carrying the vision. The leader will view every act and every expenditure as a significant resource to leverage toward the vision.
Vision is more than a preferred future! It is a future we must have, so much so, that we give our lives to it. That’s when leaders have vision. Otherwise, vision is overrated.