In this issue... Front & Center Jerry Thacker Without a Vision Rev. Mark Hiehle Now is the Time to "Go Medical" Thomas A. Glessner, J.D. Looking for Love Debra O'Leary The Church and the Center -- an Uneasy Marriage Patrick Mclaughlin Marketing 101: Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign Jerry Thacker The Power of Regret Sydna A. Massé Operation Outcry: Women No Longer Held Captive by the Lie Kathleen Cassidy By Rev. Mark Hiehle We have all experienced it and been frustrated by it -- losing sight of our original vision. It can happen to an individual, a church, a corporation, and even a crisis pregnancy center (CPC). When it happens, the proverb echoes the truth: "Without a vision, the people perish." But the converse is also true: "With a vision, the people prosper." To have a vision means that you have a mental picture of going in a specific direction to accomplish some future objective. Usually, the goal or achievement is bigger than you are. To realize the vision, you must grow, stretch, learn, and work beyond your present capabilities. When God gives a vision to a person or organization, total dependence and reliance upon Him are required in order to fulfill that calling. This is because the magnitude of a vision from God can be achieved only with His resources and ability. Too often we lose sight of the original vision; so we settle for a smaller, more manageable goal, tend to circle the wagons, and desire simply to survive. As a non-profit organization, a center can easily fall into the trap of thinking and acting like a for-profit business. But a CPC cannot demonstrate its success by showing a profit at the end of the year since it cannot make a monetary profit. Like any other organization, a CPC should try to avoid accumulating large debts, but closing each year in the black is not the measure of its success. Instead, God has given to CPCs the vision of providing hope to those facing unplanned or unwanted pregnancies and healing for those suffering the pain of the aftermath of abortion. As an abortion-alternative ministry, CPCs are an evangelistic arm of the church. By giving unconditional love and the truth about abortion and its alternatives, lives are saved. By sharing the Gospel and biblical truth, lives are changed. That is the God-inspired call and vision for CPCs -- to save and change lives. CPCs are successful when they perform these tasks. People want to become part of a dream or vision. Visionaries who can communicate a dream that is worthwhile and dynamic draw people who really want to make a lasting difference. The visions of babies being born, mothers and fathers coming to know Christ, and teens saving themselves for marriage draw people. How do you know if you have your center's vision clearly in focus? With the daily grind of paperwork, problems, and pressures, it is easy to fall prey to asking, "Why am I here?" If you have lost your vision and are weighted down due to the relentless stream of problems confronting you, take a step back. Get God's perspective and renew within yourself a sense of God's heart and His desire and purpose for you and the ministry. Have you lost sight of the center's mission, goals, and objectives? How do you know if you have your center's vision clearly in focus? You can't inspire others to pursue that vision with you if that vision isn't crystal clear in your mind. How can you know God's heart and view of the ministry and its potential? First, ask Him to remove any bitterness, prejudice, or preconceived perceptions from your heart. Then, ask Him to fill you with His thoughts, desires, and will. Read biblical passages that describe God's heart concerning little children, eternity, sin, forgiveness, ambition, and faith. Once you have grasped even a glimpse of God's heart, dare to dream big dreams. It is very important to understand that real ministry growth is never the result of human effort or ambition. God is the only One who can bring expansion or increase. Before you make your plans and ask God to bless them, seek God's heart and confirm His calling. Once you believe you have His leadership and direction, step out in faith and share the vision. You must take the above steps before you appeal to others to pray, volunteer, or give financially to the ministry. Why? Because if you do not, the result will be continual appeals for "crisis" funds. "If we don't hear from you today, we won't be able to go on." The key to successful development is to share the vision, not just the needs. People do not want to continually bail others out of their trouble. Continual crisis appeals give the impression that the ministry is a failing venture. No one wants to throw money away on a seemingly lost cause. So how do you present legitimate needs? First, share the vision to which God has called you. Let others see the big dream that drives you. Then, invite them to join you in your calling. Realize that money is not the problem. People have money that they are willing to donate. As you communicate your vision rather than your program, tell stories. Change the names and identifying details, but tell how you provided hope. When speaking of the ministry, use words like: Achievement, Accomplishment, Success, Impact, Investment, Increase, Overcome, Save, Reach, Generate, and Implement. These words affirm the ministry's impact and success. Again, people want to be part of something that is bigger than themselves. The Lord has raised up life-affirming ministries not to sit on the sidelines, but to impact their communities and culture. The Lord has given us the biggest dream possible -- saving and changing lives. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rev. Mark Hiehle is the Executive Director of the Crisis Pregnancy Support Center in Clarksville, Tennessee. For additional information on center development, visit www.highcalling.com. E-mail: markcpsc@clarksville.com. Phone: 931-645-2273.