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This is a common question that is asked, especially among people who have strong visions and risk alienating people who don’t agree with their visions. This is especially an important question in church, where unity is valued.

Some may argue, it depends on what type of vision. If your vision is biblical, you need to move forward with your vision no matter what. Others will argue that no matter what, people are more important than any lofty idea. Do not alienate people or create divisions for some “vision.”

That’s the entire point: A vision without people is only an agenda.

God ultimately loves his people and his visions are always to move people. His kingdom consists of his people worshiping him and glorifying him forever. If our visions do not ultimately help people, then it’s worthless. A vision is seeing people.

That said, once you know that your vision is ultimately good for the people, the people themselves may not know it. There may be a strong contingency that resists it. Or perhaps the privileged people resist your vision to helping the underprivileged. If that’s the case, then it will always be worth it to put the vision ahead of these people and move forward with doing ministry and really helping people in the long run.

An example of a vision may be: “Helping the poor in Africa.”

But no, that is not a vision, that’s an agenda or idea. There’s no people in that vision. “the poor” is not a person. Yet if you go to Africa, see specific people, hear their stories, and become inspired to help them… THAT is a vision.

What do you think? Do you think the people are more important? or the vision?

Its funny the way different communities work. They have their heros, hot topics, rules, abbreviations etc. One of the things that stand out is that every community has its heroes. These people are “famous” in their particular circle, but are nobodys in other circles. And it’s not just, “oh I know them.” No, it’s “WOW, OMG I’m talking to _____!!!!!!!” If you’re a part of the community, these heroes are every bit as famous as Britney Spears or President Bush. And the most interesting thing about these famous people is that they all know each other and are like best friends with each other. It’s like a “cool” crowd or “in-group.” I thought tHere are some examples:

The Counter-Strike Community
I remember clan members from certain high level clans were so respected and worshipped practically. Seeing a member of -si- or $ik was like WOW. We would watch the videos of X3 and listen to interviews from them and everything. We would go and get invited to be a part of a chatroom that had a couple -si- members and $ik ppl there and they would just chat and I wouldn’t say anything. I would just be like… WOW, I’m in awe!!! I remember when I found out [$ik]Rast was Brian Rast from high school, I thought… WOW… then I realized that hmm he wasn’t that WOW in high school. Maybe these people aren’t that cool.

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