Vision: Assessment - Start Where You Are To Get To Where You Want To Be

“It is not our job to grow the church; that is God’s job. It is our job to identify obstacles that are keeping the church from growing and then remove them.”

-Adrian Rogers

When Gina and I moved to the North Atlanta area a few years ago, I quickly became well acquainted with Google Maps. Now that may sound strange to you, but prior to moving, my use of Google Maps was limited to travel. However, as soon as I moved to this area, I quickly realized I needed directional assistance. I realized I needed help navigating around due to the vast size of the Atlanta area as well as the immense traffic. I suppose you are well acquainted with your preferred mapping app as well. But before you can successfully use a mapping app, you must know your destination - where you are going. 

However, before your app can really be effective, you need a second piece of information. That is where you are at that very moment. So you need the location you are going to and the location you are starting from. Guess what, that is true in navigating traffic and that is also true in searching for vision. Where are you currently located? What is your current situation appear like, and as a leader, where are you now?  Knowing this information will assist you in removing those obstacles for growth.

Leaders take the time to understand their present circumstances. It is true in our personal lives, it is true in business, and it is true in the church. Leadership requires knowing where you are now. And one of the ways to find where you are now, is to do a thorough assessment. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines assessment as “the action or instance of making a judgment about something.”  Words like evaluation, appraisal, and estimate are some noteworthy synonyms. And if you give it some thought, you can understand why assessments are necessary. Leaders are called upon to give a judgment of a situation. Leaders evaluate, estimate, and appraise the current conditions around them.

In Acts 11:19 - 26, the church leaders in Jerusalem get word about what is happening in Antioch and make an assessment. For context sake, let me give you a few details. Two crucial things lead up to what occurs in Acts 11. The first is found in Acts 9 where we learn of the conversion of Saul, or soon to be known as the Apostle Paul. He is radically saved and called to serve as the Apostle to the Gentiles. The second crucial event is found in Acts 10. The Apostle Peter had a vision as well as an encounter with a Roman centurion named Cornelius. I will leave it to you to read these two chapters, but the take-away from both chapters is that the Gospel of Jesus is going to the Gentiles. And that brings us to Acts 11, where word reaches the church leaders at Jerusalem that, according to vs. 21, “a large number who believed turned to the Lord.” The result is that Barnabas, “Mr. Encouragement,” is sent to assess what is happening. And what is occurring is so wonderful that Barnabas calls upon Saul to come over and help. 

This assessment was so important that it actually became a template that led to the missionary movement of Barnabas and Paul. The Jerusalem church took the time to assess what was occuring!

It also occurred in Nehemiah 1:3. The Bible tells us that Nehemiah heard about the condition of the Jews as well as the condition of the city of Jerusalem. He received an assessment of what life was like there for the Jews. In fact, in Nehemiah 2:11, after receiving assistance from the King, Nehemiah does his own midnight inspection to see for himself the condition of Jerusalem. 

But let’s be sure we understand a very important truth. Assessment is a tool to help us discover vision, however, the assessment nor the information it yields is the actual vision. Assessment is an important tool to help us travel the course that leads to vision. For us to faithfully use the tool called assessment, there are several things we need to know. 

Right Assessment

For assessment to be a well-used tool, we need to know that the correct aspects of the organization are being assessed. When I was a young teenager, I worked at a small discount store called Fred’s. I was charged with stocking the paper products area. In addition, it was my responsibility to keep the stockroom organized. One day, the manager of the store called me to the stockroom and told me what great shape it was in. Then he told me that there was just one problem, the stock was in the wrong place. It should have been out on the floor for customers to buy rather than down in the basement looking great. I had assessed the stockroom as being in order, but neglected assessing the shelves that needed to be restocked.

When you are using the tool called “assessment,” be sure you are assessing the correct aspects of your organization.

Right Conclusion

Another challenge with assessment is to be sure you are drawing the right conclusion. It is one thing to ask the right questions, it is another thing to draw the right conclusions. And to be honest, sometimes to do that, it takes a second or even a third set of eyes. 

Proverbs 15:22 - Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.

Full Assessment vs. Partial Assessment

Partial information can often be worse than no information at all. When I work with churches, I stress the importance of doing a full assessment that includes programming, processes, property, personnel, and several other areas. For example, making a decision to expand or add a church building based solely on one piece of information could lead to over-building, under-building, investing in a plan that would not be the highest priority need, etc.

Vision is sacred. It can be holy, and it can be life-changing. But in order to protect its importance and value, you must wisely use the tool called “assessment.”  Perhaps you are reading this today and are in some kind of transition, personally or professionally. Maybe you are a pastor and it is time for you or your church to make some changes. Begin with assessing where you are. Get an honest, deep-down look. Get the facts, even if those facts are hard to face.

An honest assessment will help you navigate forward toward a new vision, removing obstacles and allowing you, your business or your church to progress to the destination God is unveiling along the way.

I will be praying for you and would be glad to help. Feel free to reach out to me at david@davidsmithministry.com.