Issue #23, January 20, 2010
Servant leaders inspire others to follow a common vision which fulfills God’s purposes for the organization or group. Nehemiah was a leader that did it well. Here’s a part of his story, “Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work.” (Ne 2:17-18) What can we learn from him about how to see an inspiring vision?
Vision meets a need.
Nehemiah pointed out the trouble that the inhabitants of Jerusalem faced and offered a solution to that need with his vision to build the wall. Notice that the need was not his own but the needs of the people. Servant leaders focus on the needs of others that God instead of their own. Nehemiah had discovered God’s desire for Jerusalem and his own part in that through prayer and fasting. (see Neh. 1:4) Every vision that comes from God must meet a need. It must be about people and their needs; not your need as a leader. As a business or church leader, what is the need God is calling your organization to meet? Are you committed to meeting needs?
Vision paints a picture of the future.
Nehemiah painted a picture of the future with the words, “then we will no longer be in disgrace.” Leaders paint pictures of walls where there are only scattered stones. Visions always look forward to what will be reality in the future. What future do you envision for your company, your church, your school? What words can you use to paint this picture for your followers?
Vision inspires united action.
So they began this good work. A day earlier these people were doing their own things but after Nehemiah shared the vision they started working together and accomplished a great task in a short time. Vision serves to motivate people to move together towards a common goal. Followers will act when they understand the need, the benefit of the better future and know what steps are required to make it happen. Teamwork happens when there is a shared vision.
Vision can be quickly stated and easily remembered.
Nehemiah shared his vision in only 16 words! Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. It’s harder to write something clear and short than something long! Servant leaders are willing to do the hard work of spending time to make the vision very clear and easy to understand and remember. A test of whether your vision is easily remembered is to ask some of your followers to state the vision. If they can say it, you have done your job well.
It is your responsibility as a servant leader to ensure that your group has a clear, compelling vision. Take a moment to reflect on how well you have done this with your group.
In the next two issues, we’ll look at the specifics of how we shape the vision and how we share it with others.
For further reflection and discussion:
- Do you have a clearly written vision statement that reflects God’s desire for the group you lead? If so, examine it again in light of what we have learned from Nehemiah. If not, start working on it. You may need to involve others in the process of discernment and shaping this vision.
- What needs are your followers ignoring? (These might be economic, physical, or spiritual realities.) What do you need to do to help them see these needs>
- Are my followers working together as a team towards a common goal?