Video Transcript: Your Vision


Introduction: Vision Is Tricky

All right, we’re back with lecture number eight, on the topic of vision.

Vision is always a tricky thing. I remember when I arrived at the last church I ministered to. It was a church that had once been successful but had since declined. When I came, there was turmoil. The church had a vision, but it was not a good one.

I resisted making a quick change. Instead, I introduced simple habits: Bible reading and Bible memorization. That’s all I focused on, while continuing the usual ministry.

After about a year, the leaders approached me and said, “We think we’re different now. We think we need a new vision.”

And I said, “Not yet. Let’s just live this new vision for a while. Once we’ve become it, writing it down will be easy.”

And that’s exactly what we did.

Sometimes vision doesn’t come from sitting down to write a statement. Sometimes vision emerges from practice—from habits, from faithfulness, from walking together in obedience.

But here’s the point: even as I was encouraging Bible reading and not writing down a formal vision, I still had a vision inside of me. That’s why I introduced those practices.

As a leader, you need to have a sense of what God is calling you to do.

Vision and Leadership

Now, I’ve been giving you a lot of information in this course. In some ways, that makes vision harder to define because you have so many things to think about. Before, maybe it felt simpler.

But leadership always comes back to this: if you want to make something happen, you need to know what God has placed inside you. Because there will always be competing visions, and if you don’t know your own, things will fall apart.

So here are some questions to help you define your vision.

1. Why?

  • Why did you take this course?
  • Why would you consider starting or strengthening a men’s ministry?

There’s a reason you’re here. Maybe you see men in your life making a mess of things, and you want to help. Maybe something happened in your own life that stirred this up. Maybe you long for support in your own walk with God.

Think about it: if someone asked you right now, “Why do you want to start a men’s ministry?” — what would you say?

Why do you believe God is involved in this?

I can tell you from my own story: I planted a church with one vision — attract people with good sermons and music. It worked outwardly, but inside I was running on empty. Then God gave me a new vision: that the heart of the church had to be people’s walk with God, their walk with their spouse, and their family. That became my new vision.

And because I believed God gave me that vision, it didn’t matter if it succeeded or failed by human standards. I had to do it.

2. Why You?

  • Why do you think you can do this?
  • What gifts, experiences, or passions has God given you for this work?

It’s not arrogance to ask this question. God has equipped you. Maybe He’s prepared you for this very moment.

Who inspired you to believe you could do ministry? Was it a pastor, a youth leader, a friend, a family member?

For me, it was a mission trip when I was 18. They unexpectedly put me in charge of a team. One night a member ran away. At 2 a.m., I went to find him. We talked until 6 a.m. That night, I realized I might actually be able to make a difference in someone’s life. That experience changed me.

3. Who’s Your Mentor?

Every leader needs a mentor. Someone to follow, someone who challenges you.

  • Who is your mentor?
  • Do they know they are your mentor?
  • If you don’t have one, who could you ask?

You cannot lead others well unless you are being led and shaped yourself.

4. Who Have You Helped?

Think of a man you’ve already helped. Maybe you encouraged him in faith. Maybe you walked with him through a struggle.

If you can’t think of anyone, go out and help someone now. That story will become a foundation for your ministry.

5. Who Needs This Ministry?

Who in your life needs men’s ministry? Write down their names.

Is it your brother, a co-worker, a neighbor, a friend?

Pray for them daily. Let them be your motivation when you feel like quitting.

6. What Successes Have You Seen?

Think of times when God has used you to help others. Maybe you saw a marriage restored. Maybe you encouraged a man who was ready to give up. Those moments are signs that God is already at work through you.

7. What Brokenness Have You Overcome?

  • What struggles has God helped you through?
  • Addiction? Marriage issues? Parenting? Health struggles?

Where you have overcome brokenness, you now carry credibility. You can tell someone, “God helped me, and He can help you.” That makes your ministry authentic.

8. What Brokenness Are You Still Facing?

It’s okay to need ministry while leading ministry. Maybe your marriage needs help. Maybe you’re wrestling with discouragement. That doesn’t disqualify you — it makes you relatable.

The best leaders are those who point to Jesus as their Savior while admitting, “I need Him too.”

9. What Do You Have to Offer?

Don’t hide behind false humility. Identify your gifts, skills, and strengths. God gave them to you for a purpose. Use them to serve.

10. When Will You Start?

This is critical. If you don’t act, nothing will happen.

Don’t wait for perfection. Ministry will never be perfect. Start now.

  • When will you write down your vision?
  • When will you start talking to potential leaders?
  • When will you begin inviting men?

Make a plan. Set a date. Take action.

I’ll tell you from experience: the first person you recruit may recruit ten more. That happened to me as an introvert church planter. I found one person. He brought ten families. God can multiply your effort.

Practical Steps

  • Where will you meet?
  • Who will help you?
  • How will you invite people?
  • Will you start with an outing, a dinner, a Bible study?

Be specific. Ministry doesn’t just happen. You need a plan, even if it’s small.

Final Thoughts

Yes, all of this can feel overwhelming. But remember: you’re here because God put something on your heart. He doesn’t waste your time.

Your job is not to achieve perfection — your job is to be faithful.

Your vision may start simple: “I feel called to do something with men’s ministry.” That’s enough. Share it. Invite others into the process. God will guide you.

Sometimes success will look different than you expect. Sometimes what looks like failure in human eyes is success in God’s kingdom. You are called to be faithful, not to control the results.

So take the step. Write something down. Talk to someone. Invite them. Act on the vision God has placed in you.

Be faithful, and trust God with the outcome.

We’ll see you next time.


Last modified: Thursday, September 4, 2025, 3:19 PM