Will Mancini

Gosh, I hope so! These words come from a recent review of the book by the Library Journal:

Mancini (founder, Auxano consulting group) believes that all churches need not be megachurches like Willowcreek (IL) or Saddleback (CA). Here, he avoids a mere discussion of churches worthy of emulation and further crosses denominational lines, having himself worked alongside Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, and others. Mancini eschews the title consultant , prefer-ring instead vision navigator . In short, he helps leaders focus on their own unique cultures and con-gregational fingerprints. Once churches grasp that they are one of a kind-much like galaxies, fossils, DNA, and sandbanks-they can then, Mancini writes, unleash their full potential. The book, com-plete with an appendix as well as logos and icons illustrating various churches’ visionary thinking, is strengthened by numerous flow charts, diagrams, graphics, and pithy quotes. It has the potential to unseat Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Church in popularity. Yet academic libraries may want to pass on this title for its admitted lack of supporting empirical evidence. Public libraries, on the other hand, would be wise to purchase a copy. With a foreword by inspirational giant Max Lucado.-C. Brian Smith, Arlington Heights Memorial Lib., IL

I have always viewed Warren Bird as a stud- a great thinker who works a bit behind the scenes as a collaborative writer for many effective leadership titles. You can imagine how excited I was to see his review of Church Unique:

“Back in 1992, when churches were just beginning to think about vision statements, George Barna wrote a highly popular book called Power of Vision. In it he defined vision as “a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God.”

I predict Will Mancini’s Church Unique (2008, 271 pages) will succeed Barna’s classic as the go-to book for church leadership discussions…” read more

I had lunch with Matt Neely this week who recently planted The Watershed Church, a UMC church close to my home in League City, TX. One topic of conversation centered around the idea that “vision” is a tainted word today especially for emerging leaders. Its seems that the abuses of the church growth movement and the overuse use of term generates a little skepticism. One of the difficult things in writing Church Unique was trying to figure out a name for a book on vision without using “vision” in the title. “Redeeming Vision” and “Ooze Vision” were top choices. Another option was “Quantum Clarity” as I believe the idea of clarity is the key for missional leaders to embrace a bold vision with an appropriate humility. To redeem the concept of vision keep in mind how and passion without pride come together around “clarity:”

–Clarifying vision is about looking to the past as much as the future
–Clarifying vision requires careful consideration of strengths and limitations
–Clarifying vision is as much about identity as it is methodology
–Clarifying vision is always about what God is already doing

I get a lot of questions about the relationship between a church’s vision and the senior or lead pastor. Does the vision originate from the pastor or from the people? What happens to the vision when the pastor leaves? While many variables can complicate these question, there is at least one principle we can assert with clarity: Even though a senior leader may be the primary voice of the vision, any effective leader with a worthwhile vision will raise up a leadership community that carries it. The better the clarity and integration into the fabric of an organization, the more the vision will transcend any one person.

Many people express skepticism about this point. Why? Because we have so few models of culturally integrated vision that it is easy to rely on a charismatic leader as the substitute for real vision.

Therefore, it’s a beautiful thing to behold when it is working right. One example is the recent pastoral transition at Mobberly Baptist Church in East Texas, an Auxano client from years ago. I talked recently with the new senior pastor, Glynn Stone. Glynn is a gifted leader who understood that the leaders did the hard work of discernment and articulation years before his arrival. His first ten weeks he preached two series: six weeks on the existing mission and four weeks on the existing strategy. Glynn recounts, “I noticed that the church had the vision. When it exists, and its biblical and its working, there’s no need to change it. When I told this to the search committee, they began salivating, because they wanted a leader who recognized what God had already done.” Read Glynn’s Blog

Many people ask me how I became a “clarity evangelist.” It all started in the window between July 2001 – December of 2002. In that time I was given the opportunity to work with scores of churches across the country. My world was polarized as I had my first “Nehemiah experience.” It wasn’t walls that were in disrepair but the quality and nature of visionary leadership.

The urgent need of the church in North America today is clarity. Leaders have not disciplined themselves to pray, listen, think and dialogue with their teams in a way that produces a shared, vivid understanding of where God is taking their ministry. I have never encountered one that did not have an immediate need for better clarity–and most have a desperate need. How would you know if you have clarity? You have it if you can answer “yes” to these questions:

1. In the last 30 days did you hear church members talk about your church’s vision?

10. Do you have 100% confidence that all of the time, money and resources going into the church are being utilized to make disciples at the end of the day?