As entrepreneurs, how often do we think of the vision and mission of our businesses? We might sit down at an annual board retreat for a few hours and discuss next year’s plan, but is that where the discussion ends? As you and I build businesses, do we ever stop to think about what it is we are building?

It is so easy to get lost in day-to-day operations that we end up losing the ultimate vision. It’s funny how we ask our employees to be loyal to the company, but we can’t describe what it is they are being loyal to.

If we want to succeed as entrepreneurs, especially faith driven entrepreneurs, we need to have a clear vision for our companies and communicate that vision to our employees. And that starts with who the business serves.

Moses: An Example of Self-Sacrifice

Let's look at Moses as an example of someone who fused vision and mission with leadership. When it came to the traditional “characteristics of a leader,” Moses didn't have much to put on a resume. He wasn’t a great speaker, and he was reluctant to embrace God’s direction at the burning bush.

However, God had appointed him as a leader, and as we read in Exodus, Moses took on the task to bring the Israelites to the promised land.

As Moses stepped into his role as steward of the Israelites, he had to adopt a posture of self-sacrifice. Not only did he have to meet the Israelites’ physical needs, but he was also tasked to be an overseer of a covenant made by God Himself to Jacob, father of Israel. Moses climbed the mountain and carefully considered the words which God spoke. And despite seeing the glory of God in its rawest form, he still had to come back to a stubborn, complaining people and guide them forward. Moses’ job was hard work, and very few want to work. Self-sacrifice is one of the few things Moses went through.

Paul: An Example of Determination

Paul, who faithfully and with great determination, empowered the churches through his travels and letters. With this goal in mind, he had to travel many days and nights to reach the churches. He faced persecution and disappointments of all kinds. And yet, Paul never gave up.

I believe Paul was an intentional leader who was fully committed to “runing the race of endurance.” On his journeys, he encouraged and built up young believers by pointing them to Christ and not just himself. Paul did not allow himself to be distracted by problems, deceit, worry, and fear, but as Paul puts it in Philippians 3:13-14, he encourages everyone to “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Jehu: An Example of Fearlessness

Jehu was a king of Israel who rode alone but with great ferocity and intentionality when it came to fulfilling the word of God. He had a mission to confront the wicked queen Jezebel. For years, Jezebel had hunted down people of God, but Jehu had a great sense of fearlessness, and it was this very gift that God was able to use to accomplish His will.

Is Your Vision Given By God?

The vision or mission did not come from self for any of these leaders (who all had very different styles of leadership). Instead, these visions had been given, and these leaders worked to steward these visions to completion. These leaders died to themselves daily doing what they had been instructed by God, always drawing from God’s power.

Now, to bring it to leadership and influence, I recently realized that it is so easy for a company to fall into the trap of pleasing the leader. The vision and mission get lost in pursuing the leader and making sure he is happy that the actual work of God is neglected and forgotten.

When You Pursue Self, You Often Neglect and Forget the Mission of God

When I look back at the first firm I worked for, I see how anxiety-ridden I was. Despite its relatively open-door policies, I remember always being on edge, spending some lunches trying to improve my work ethic to please the higher-ups and managers.

We had decent pay, good hours, and Friday socials, so what was the problem?

Our leadership had not established a healthy vision and mission and, instead, created a culture that prioritized appeasing the leadership by appearing good. We were never directed to a higher vision or mission in our work. Instead, we constantly needed to do what we were told to do in a way that wouldn’t anger the higher-ups.

In The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John C Maxwell plainly explains that “Leadership is influence.” No great leader has been able to accomplish great heights on their own but always had a team, a following, and people who believe in their work. Leaders find others who are interested in helping build by co-laboring to completion. In Joshua 1:16-17 the Israelites swear to follow Joshua in his instruction as they journey to enter the promised land. The Israelites were able to accomplish what they did through leadership and partnership.

With a clear vision and proper influence, a leader can accomplish great things and great heights, but be aware – this very influence that can be used for self-service and self-gratification. Leaders are extremely influential in their workplaces or places of influence, and they set the standard and tone of any place they lead.

So finally, is your business serving you or the Kingdom of God?

Would you like to share your unique story of entrepreneurship and faith? Submit your article to FDE Africa using this form.

Connect with African Entrepreneurs navigating similar paths of identity and faith

One hour a week for 8 weeks you will connect with 10-15 like-minded entrepreneurs in Africa to walk through the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Video Series and discuss what it means to embrace your call to create and fulfill God’s purpose for your life and work. The study features video stories of real-life entrepreneurs and goes deep into the Marks of a Faith Driven Entrepreneur with Henry Kaestner and JD Greear.

FIND AN ENTREPRENEUR GROUP TODAY!