What’s the Vision? Leading the Church Into the New Year

As the Christmas season winds down and a new year approaches, pastors and church leaders everywhere feel the familiar pressure to answer a big question: What’s the vision for next year? In this episode of The Church Resource Podcast, hosts Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass have an honest, thoughtful, and occasionally humorous conversation about vision casting, goal setting, and why the church may not need another “new thing” after all. Lucas and Chris begin by acknowledging a reality many leaders quietly live with—most churches aren’t planning years in advance. While large publishing organizations may have multi-year calendars mapped out, many pastors are navigating vision closer to the turn of the year, often guided by budget timelines and real-life ministry demands. And that’s not a failure—it’s normal. From there, the conversation shifts to the tension churches feel between novelty and faithfulness. Why do people expect a new theme, a fresh slogan, or a “word of the year” every January? And what happens when that excitement fades as quickly as it arrives? Drawing from Scripture, pastoral experience, and insights on church growth, Chris explains that churches don’t plateau because they lack creativity, but because they drift away from two foundational commitments: faithful preaching of the gospel and clear, consistent vision. Rather than advocating for flashy programs or personality-driven momentum, the hosts emphasize resetting the church’s vision—reminding people who they are, why they exist, and what God has already called them to do. Preach the gospel. Love one another. Do good works. Make disciples. These practices may not feel exciting, but they are powerful when done with discipline and intentionality. The episode also explores the role of goals in ministry. Using baptism as an example, Chris explains that setting goals isn’t about manipulating outcomes or putting limits on the Holy Spirit. Instead, goals help leaders work backward to identify faithful actions—prayer, relationship-building, and gospel conversations—that create space for God to work. The metric isn’t the mission; it’s a tool for clarity. Lucas and Chris also discuss the dangers of consumerism in church culture, especially in metropolitan areas where people have endless options. When churches compete to appear innovative, they risk neglecting the slow, relational work that actually leads to lasting growth. As they note, spiritual formation is a marathon, not a sprint—and progress often becomes visible only over time. The episode closes with practical wisdom for young pastors preparing to preach vision-focused sermons at the beginning of the year. Chris offers straightforward counsel: pray, immerse yourself in Scripture, take inventory of past challenges and missed opportunities, communicate clearly and simply, and don’t feel pressured to reinvent the vision every January. Sometimes God’s plan extends well beyond a single year. If you’re a pastor, church leader, or ministry volunteer feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to innovate, this episode offers a refreshing reminder: faithfulness, clarity, and discipline still matter—and they still work. Have a topic you want us to cover? Email us at [e-mail]