Visioneering: God's Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Personal Vision by Andy Stanley

Visioneering: God's Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Personal Vision Reviews

• 
  karl and mandy brown

  About seven years ago, my friend Art gave me the book Visioneering: God’s blueprint for developing and maintaining personal vision by Andy Stanley. Seven years ago is a guess: my memory of him giving me the book is more strongly tied to the time shortly after graduating from college, which was about seven years ago. He was trying to off-load the book, I believe; and I still was of the mindset that books were awesome. I had this grand scheme that during my lifetime I wanted to amass a huge and totally awesome library. He didn’t give a very high recommendation of the book – kind of a bland, “egh, it’s okay. Not the greatest, but not terrible.” But, hey, it was a book; and my collection was just beginning. With that recommendation, I’ve been carrying that book with me for seven long years without having any interest at all in reading it… that is, until last week, when I found myself looking for and feeling like I need to know what to do next. Now that I’ve found my other half, I feel a greater responsibility to know what’s happening and to know what to do next. Visioneering seemed liked it had potential to fill in some blanks.
  
  To summarize it concisely, Visioneering provides a 20-point checklist, or “building blocks,” for choosing and executing a “life project” using Nehemiah as the primary case study to support the approach. “Life project” could also be called “vision,” could also be “career,” could also be some thing or part of our life that we feel we need to do in our lifetime, whether that’s having a good family, improving other people’s lives, or whatever. The book closely follows Nehemiah’s record of how he was a Jewish slave in Persia and went to Israel to rebuild the wall surrounding Jerusalem, from the time he was burdened with the project to the time the Jewish people were back on track worshiping Jehovah. Stories from the author’s personal experiences are peppered throughout the book, as well, to illustrate certain points. Stanley himself is a Dallas Theological Seminary-trained pastor of a church in the northern suburbs of Atlanta.
  
  At its best, Visioneering is thought-provoking, challenging, and insightful. I am at a time in my life when I can choose what my next path will look like… what type of job opportunity I want to pursue, where I want to apply my passions and skills. This book says, “okay, do this, do that, be sure to stay true and keep a watchful eye, and you’re good to go.” Stanley backs up his claims though the actions of Nehemiah, an Old Testament hero (not a prophet), and examples of acquaintances, friends, family, and members of his congregation. To this end, when reviewing each of the 20 items, it is easy to remember why each point might be important. The challenge is that the reader must acknowledge God’s will as sovereign throughout every aspect of the life project. At its worst, however, Visioneering could be preachy, fluffy, and vain.
  
  On a number of occasions, Stanley's words come off as preachy. He supports his argument that God’s will is sovereign because, as Christians, his readers have already committed their lives to Christ. But he doesn’t need to go on and say, “After all, we are not our own. We have been bought with a price. Remember the rest? We are to glorify – or honor – God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)” (p. 12). The reader knows what he or she has committed to and doesn’t need a spiritual “you owe me one” to be called into action. The author further reads into the text of Nehemiah to deduce how Nehemiah must have been feeling at various stages:
  
  * “As hard as that was for Jim to believe, I imagine it was just as hard for Nehemiah to believe” (p. 49)
  * “After years of routine and menial service to the king, he must have felt like a caged bird that had been set free” (p. 73)
  * “… but I think Nehemiah was just ticked off. He was tired. The builders were tired. And now this. He was not in the mood…” (p. 149)
  
  Really? Nehemiah is a fairly straight-forward piece of text. There are a few times when Nehemiah describes his feelings in certain circumstances (Neh 1:4, 2:2, 5:6, for example), but the book is more often an account of events. These assertions may be educated guesses, but they distract from what is really being said and give the reader the illusion that the author has some sort of divine knowledge that gives him authority to make other unsubstantiated claims. Stanley really knows the inner feelings of a person he’s never met, who’s from a different time period, a different culture, and a different socioeconomic status? Talk simply, present arguments in a straight-forward manner, and let the reader choose how things relate to his or her life.
  
  Along with reading into the text, all too often case studies were presented to support the building blocks. Case studies are not bad per se, but I find them as weak supports for an argument. Just because one person did something one way doesn’t mean I will have similar results if I do the same thing. Even further, just because Nehemiah took a certain approach to building the wall doesn’t mean I need to follow his same approach for my project. At times in Visioneering, it is difficult to tell whether a story is based on a real event or an invented character. Other times they are summarized in an all too perfect vignette (e.g. Grant’s Story, pp. 205-6). If presenting a 20-point checklist for a life project, show me examples of people who tried the entire checklist rather than just pieces of it. To strengthen an argument, show me a cohort of individuals who followed a protocol and what their outcomes were.
  
  If we are to use Nehemiah as an example for building a life project, one omission by Stanley warrants explanation. Chapter 3 of Nehemiah includes what appears to be a fairly exhaustive list of who built each section of the wall. It is one thing to direct people to build a wall surrounding a city; it is another thing to record who did what for such an extensive project. While most of the book is a description of Nehemiah’s reaction to events, Chapter 3 is a departure, where he lists everyone else who was involved. Could not another building block be, give credit where credit is due? What about the importance of being organized and maintaining a record for a large project? A number of the building blocks imply a community environment (5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20), but these principles are not included.
  
  Well, so what? What does this mean? Is the checklist Stanley presented exhaustive? It appears not. Has the effectiveness of these building blocks been proven? Not really. But, for a guy looking for something – almost anything – to use as a template to get the ball rolling, Visioneering answers a few questions. It gives examples of choices other people needed to make and obstacles they needed to overcome while pursuing their visions. It underscores the importance of moral principles, God’s sovereignty, and prayer in pursuing a vision. And if nothing else, it’s there, on my bookshelf, one small step towards a totally awesome library.
• 
  Cori

  Achhh. With extra phlegm.
  
  This book took me months to read. Or more accurately, listen to. I've read a couple books by Andy Stanley now, and I want to love him. I really do. But I've reached a point of recognizing that I wallow through his books every time.
  
  Some things I DID like (that's only fair):
  1) I need to read Nehemiah. I've never paid a lot of attention to this story since I became a (formal) leader. And I'm excited to go into it with those experiences and points of application.
  2) I loved the motto "I'm doing a great thing. I can't come down." Nehemiah said this when naysayers and those meaning him harm tried to get him to come off the wall. The application of this to any calling we have on us is awesome.
  3) I might have learned this before, but if I did I forgot about it. Andy Stanley explained that the plagues of Egypt were very specific to Egypt's sacred cows, if you will. So if we're thinking, "What's with these weird, fragmented plagues?" there's an answer to that. Pharaohs considered themselves gods. Egyptians also worshipped the Nile. And the sun. And other things associated with the plagues. So God was essentially going, "Naw, sit down, son. Watch this."
  
  But back to all books Andy Stanley. They're solid. They're sound. They're...not relevatory. So if it's not relevatory, it at least needs to be passionate. Like Bob Goff or Donald Miller. Or absorbing through prose. Like Ann Voskamp. But it's just...dad socks in slides. Also, the narrator was dad socks in slides. Like, it all gets the job done practically, but I'm sighing at the process.
  
  This may work for many people and Andy Stanley is renowned for his work and books. So I am noticeably in the minority for not loving this.
  
  I'd rate this book a G.
• 
  Aaron Carpenter

  Don't make the mistake I did when I dismissed this book as yet another in the growing you-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be-as-long-as-you-follow-your-heart genre. Stanley unashamedly embraces two realities: the Gospel of Christ, and the glory of God. (I know they're the same reality, but we speak of them in different ways.) He then uses Nehemiah as an extended case study to show the power and challenge of a vision (in the motivational sense, not mystical), encouraging us to recognize and fulfill our place in God's Kingdom plan. And no, that doesn't mean that we're all going to plant mega-churches or conduct a symphony. In fact, some of Stanley's most powerful reminders occur when he's talking about God's vision for our families.
  
  I appreciated most of this book, and I will likely be returning to it in the near future. However, I would caution readers that some of Stanley's advice - if taken too far - could lead to a very unhealthy leadership style, especially when team members "fall out of alignment." The leader could fortify himself in his vision to the point where he fails to listen to anyone and simply bulldozes those who are in his way.
  
  But that's not Stanley's idea. Stanley repeatedly shows us that a vision requires total dependence upon God, and he is constantly reminding us of the priority of prayer.
  
  For that, I am thankful. After all, it's not much of a vision that I can dream up myself and accomplish in my own strength. "The end of a God-ordained vision is God."
• 
  Kari Eso

  I am doing a good work and I cannot come down! This was a book that I gobbled up from start to finish.
• 
  Vance

  With so much to do every day, I find myself struggling to remained focused on the God-ordained vision for my life. Everyone has one, you may just not have found it yet. This book takes you on a journey through many stories, including CEOs and Nehemiah, where the person treads through the good and bad but is constantly focused on their God-ordained vision for their life.
  
  Here is the concluding few paragraphs of the book that nicely summarize the author's point:
  
  "Everybody has a mental picture what could and should be for his life. But not everybody will pay the price to turn that mental image into reality.
  
  If you are consumed with tension between what is and what could be, if you find yourself emotionally involved--frustrated, brokenhearted, maybe even angry--with the way things are, and if you believe God is behind your anguish, then chances are you are on the brink of something divine. Something too important to walk away from.
  
  Pay the price.
  
  Embrace the vision.
  
  After all, everybody ends up somewhere in life.
  
  You have the opportunity to end up somewhere on purpose."
  
  There are days when I struggle with what I believe my God-ordained vision is of helping others be more prosperous personally, financially, emotionally, and more, but this must start with understanding that God is always with me along the way, no matter how much I may want to quit.
  
  There have certainly been struggles along my journey, and I'm sure you have had them as well, but knowing that a loving God is on your side means that everything is possible. Don't let your vision pass you by or be diluted because of the unknown.
  
  I highly recommend this book if you are struggling with your God-ordained vision, or with planning of any kind. You will find the book of value and may even brighten your path to achieving that long-desired courage to step forward in your dreams.
  
  Good luck! You can do it.
• 
  JJ Vancil

  I held onto this book for a long time before actually finishing it. Why did it take me so long to begin reading it? Well, simply put, I wasn’t operating with a vision that was worth investing the time in developing. In other words, I was in a season of maintaining. But, God has stirred in my soul (and many others around me) a vision of raising up a new generation of youth who are captivated by living out their faith in a way that actually influences the world. This book has helped guide the development of this vision unlike any book I had read before. It is both aspirational & practical. It points towards a future and yet also gives you the tools to get there. Using the story of Nehemiah’s incredible journey of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Andy Stanley inspires and equips the reader to press into their vision, despite all odds and despite all opposition. I was both deeply encouraged and challenged by this book. And as always, Stanley writes with such ease and tangibility. I am better for reading it!
• 
  Natacha Ramos

  I LOVED this book.
  
  It's exactly what I needed for such a time as this. I've always liked Andy Stanley's book, but this one is definitely my favorite.
  
  "Visioneering" helps you understand practical and biblical principles to accomplish the vision the Lord has placed in your heart, and it brilliantly uses Nehemiah's experience to do that. On this book, I read truth in its purest form, which was so refreshing. It teaches you to trust God's timing and process to develop His plan and the part we play in it.
  
  It was life-changing. I can't recommend it enough.
• 
  Reeds

  "Stay On Your Wall"
  Nehemiah 6:3-4, 6b, 16b “And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? 4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner."
  6b "…O God, strengthen my hands."
  16b "…this work was wrought of our God.”
• 
  Purshia Gambles

  This book made me think about my own God-giving identity and how it shapes the vision for what I hope to do in ministry/leadership. Some really great nuggets of just prudent wisdom also, such as, “We don’t just want to get somewhere. We want to get somewhere on purpose.”
  
  Great book for anyone wondering, “who am I? And how should it inform what I do?”
• 
  Jacob London

  I 'unhitched' myself from Andy Stanley.
• 
  Shayna Chicas

  A good read to evaluate your future. Just not a book I would read for pleasure.
  Many good points made.
  Many things taken to heart and to my mind to apply.
  Yet again. Not a book I would read for pleasure purposes.
• 
  Diane Estrella

  This book has been around for a while, but it was a new read to me. Whether you have a huge, world changing vision, or a small personal vision for your life, this book is for you. It is encouraging and uplifting whatever stage of the vision process you are in.
  
  Having and knowing God is with us and has a good future and destiny for you makes this book a step above any other self-help book on this subject. Ultimately whatever God desires for our lives can not compare to any earthly treasure or accolades we could receive otherwise. We can do something on our own but our some thing will not have the eternal consequence that God's plan has for us.
  
  I like that this book had a study/discussion guide at the end of the book and fill-in exercises at the end of each chapter for the reader to evaluate their vision as they go. I really appreciated the in-depth look into the book of Nehemiah in the Bible and how it relates to his having a big vision that could not be accomplished on his own. If we are doing what God has called us to do, then GOD will get the job done to completion, NOT US!
  
  I received this book from the publisher but was not required to leave a review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
• 
  G.P. Hintz

  I want to give this book 5 stars. I absolutely LOVE Andy Stanley and I love leadership, however I didn't have this drive to run back to this book in order to keep reading it. I would probably give it 3.5 stars if I could. The principles were solid and the correlation with the life of Nehemiah was great. However, it just lacked something for me. It's worth a one time through, but I probably won't reread this one for awhile.
  
  The two life changing quotes I received from this book:
  "I am doing a good work and I can't come down."
  
  - this is a saying I need to practice MUCH MORE in my life -
  
  "At the end of every God ordained vision is God."
  
  - It is HIS story and HIS vison... I'm just a piece of the puzzle -
• 
  Andy

  I really enjoyed this book. Whether you want to develop a vision for your church, ministry, family or organization, this book takes you through the book of Nehemiah and pull out insights and wisdom to help you with cast and carry out your vision. I love that Andy pointed out that our vision is ultimately about God and His Glory. Read this book and go do something!
• 
  Maryann Tackett

  This year is the third time I have read this wonderful book. Each time I glean incredible nuggets out of thin air. I would not start a business without this book. I would not be a leader without this book. This book is an essential tool to both leadership and business.
• 
  Kirstin Pulioff

  A book that opens hearts, directs paths, and reinforces vision. Great read!!
• 
  Bill Pence

  Andy Stanley is one of my favorite leadership voices, through his books and leadership podcast. In this book, he uses the biblical story of Nehemiah and his 20 Building Blocks to illustrate vision. He builds a compelling case for the necessity of a clear, God-ordained vision for each of the roles of your life.
  He describes visioneering as a preferred future, a destination. Visioneering is the engineering of a vision. It’s the process one follows to develop and maintain vision. Vision is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.
  Stanley illustrates visioneering as:
  Visioneering =Inspiration + Conviction + Action + Determination + Completion
  His 20 Building Blocks are:
  A vision begins as a concern.
  A vision does not necessarily require immediate action.
  Pray for opportunities and plan as if you expect God to answer your prayers.
  God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life.
  What God originates, he orchestrates.
  Walk before you talk; investigate before you initiate.
  Communicate your vision as a solution to a problem that must be addressed immediately.
  Cast your vision to the appropriate people at the appropriate time.
  Don’t expect others to take greater risks or make greater sacrifices than you have.
  Don’t confuse your plans with God’s vision.
  Visions are refined – they don’t change; plans are revised – they rarely stay the same.
  Respond to criticism with prayer, remembrance, and if necessary, a revision of the plan.
  Visions thrive in an environment of unity; they die in an environment of division.
  Abandon the vision before you abandon your moral authority.
  Don’t get distracted.
  There is divine potential in all you envision to do.
  The end of a God-ordained vision is God.
  Maintaining a vision requires adherence to a set of core beliefs and behaviors.
  Visions require constant attention.
  Maintaining a vision requires bold leadership.
  There is much of value in this book, and I would recommend that all leaders read it. A few takeaways are:
  Vision takes praying and planning.
  Faith is the essential ingredient of visioning.
  God given visions don’t always seem practical.
  A vision is always a solution to a problem.
  Vision has a price. “Sacrifice”
  In addition to using Nehemiah’s story, Stanley uses several stories throughout the book to illustrate his points about vision.
  Here are a few of the best quotes from the book:
  Vision-driven people are motivated people. Find me a man or woman who lacks motivation and I’ll show you someone with little or no vision. Ideas, yes. Dreams, maybe. Vision, not a chance.
  Vision will prioritize your values. A clear vision has the power to bring what’s most important to the surface of your schedule and lifestyle.
  Dreamers dream about things being different. Visionaries envision themselves making a difference.
  God inspired visions ultimately lead back to God.
  In order to share your vision convincingly, you must be able to state the problem your vision addresses along with a solution to the problem.
  Any vision worth pursuing will demand sacrifice and risk. You will be called upon to give up the actual good for the potential best.
  Be stubborn about the vision. Be flexible with your plan.
  Your influence is far more critical to the success of your vision than your position.
  Moral authority is not achieved overnight. It is not something you can manufacture at will. Moral authority is developed through a proper response to circumstances, circumstances over which you have no control.
  As Christians, we do not have a right to take our talents, abilities, experiences, opportunities, and education and run off in any direction we please. We lost that right at Calvary. …At the same time, we have no right to live visionless lives either. If God—think about it—if God has a vision for what you are to do with your allotment of years, you had better get in on it. What a tragedy to miss it. Missing out on God’s plan for our lives must be the greatest tragedy this side of eternity.
  What could be and should be can’t be until God is ready for it to be.
  Three important things are taking place while we wait:
  The vision matures in us.
  We mature in preparation for the vision.
  God is at work behind the scenes preparing the way.”
  Prayer is critical to vision development. Here’s why: We see what we are looking for; we often miss what we don’t expect to see. …Prayer keeps us looking. Prayer keeps the burden fresh. It keeps our eyes and hearts in an expectant mode. Prayer doesn’t force God’s hand. But it keeps us on the lookout for His intervention. Prayer sensitizes us to subtle changes in the landscape of our circumstances.
  God is using your circumstances to prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life. Your present circumstances are part of the vision. You are not wasting your time. You are not spinning your wheels. You are not wandering in the wilderness. If you are ‘seeking first’ His kingdom where you are, then where you are is where He has positioned you. And He has positioned you there with a purpose in mind.
  An agonizingly important principle: what always precedes how. You will know what God has put in your heart to do before you know how He intends to bring it about. …How is never a problem for God. It is usually a big problem for us. But how is God’s specialty.
  I think it is safe to assume that most Christians are not attempting anything that requires God’s intervention. They are not looking for God to do anything special. They are not aware that they need Him to do anything special. They are trusting that He will step in once they breathe their last breath. But other than that, they live as if they have everything under control. If you want to know how you score on this issue, listen to your prayers and prayer requests. What do you pray for? What are the things you find yourself praying for night after night? Those are your passions. Those are the things that matter most to you. Pretty scary, huh? A little embarrassing? Somewhat self-centered? What was your response the last time someone asked you for a prayer request? Did you have to think for a moment? Was your response kind of … well … less than inspiring? Or did your eyes light up as you thought about that thing, that person, that ministry you were trusting God for? Other than Heaven, and possibly your health, what are you consciously depending on God to do?
  This world is filled with people who stopped one question short of finding an avenue that would allow them to pursue their vision. Don’t let the discouragement of a few slammed doors cause you to walk away from the vision God has birthed in your heart. Investigate. Look around. Think outside the lines. Few destinations have only one point of access. The same is true of your vision. If your initial approach is blocked, look for alternatives. Don’t give up too quickly. You may be one question away from discovering the key that will unlock the door that stands between you and God’s vision for your life. God will use this period of investigation to confirm, sharpen, and, sometimes, redirect your vision.
  When a man or woman is willing to give up something valuable for a God-ordained vision, God looks upon it as worship.
  Our natural response to criticism is to defend ourselves. This is especially true when our vision is under attack. We are tempted to begin a dialogue with our critics or with those who are parroting their criticism. Consequently, we waste energy and thought trying to answer questions for people who are often not really interested in answers. Without realizing it, our focus begins to shift. Instead of being vision centered, we slowly become critic centered.
  You have a destiny to fulfill. God has placed before you opportunities and responsibilities that are brimming with divine significance. He has given you gifts, talents, and relationships that are waiting to be exploited on behalf of His kingdom.
  If you’ve got a big dream to pursue, Visioneering by Andy Stanley could be a big help. You can read my full book review by clicking here. Below are 11 quotes from this book which especially caught my eye.
  As Christians, we do not have a right to take our talents, abilities, experiences, opportunities, and education and run off in any direction we please. We lost that right at Calvary. …At the same time, we have no right to live visionless lives either. If God—think about it—if God has a vision for what you are to do with your allotment of years, you had better get in on it. What a tragedy to miss it. Missing out on God’s plan for our lives must be the greatest tragedy this side of eternity.
  What could be and should be can’t be until God is ready for it to be.”
  Everybody has a mental picture of what could be and should be for his life. But not everybody will pay the price to turn that mental image into reality.
  Pay the price. Embrace the vision. After all, everybody ends up somewhere in life. Some people end up somewhere on purpose. Those are the ones with vision. You have the opportunity to end up somewhere on purpose.
• 
  Jung

  Because you were made by an endlessly creative God, you must use your talents and strengths to serve your vision, which is entwined with his purpose. Staying focused on your vision gives your life purpose and fulfillment.
  
  And here’s some more actionable advice:
  
  Seek out the advice of an inspirational mentor.
  
  Think of at least one person you know who is living a life of clear purpose and direction that’s consistent with a godly life. Write down the ways in which you can recognize vision in his actions. Contact this person and make a formal appointment you can discuss the steps he took to translate vision to reality.
  
  ---
  
  Visioneering is the sum total of inspiration, conviction, action, determination, and completion.
  
  Life is a journey. Yes, you’re right – there’s nothing earth-shattering about this stale old cliché. But here’s a question that might freshen it up a bit: If life is a journey, then what kind of journey is it?
  
  Is it an aimless road trip with no real destination – a trip that, though enjoyable at times, leads you nowhere, thanks to poor planning and disorganization? Or is it a different kind of journey – one that leaves room for pleasant detours and sightseeing but still has a set destination?
  
  If your life sounds like option two, you might already be a visioneer.
  
  The key message here is: Visioneering is the sum total of inspiration, conviction, action, determination, and completion.
  
  Visioneering means clearly envisioning your future as it ties to God’s plan, and keeping that vision in the foreground as you plan your life. Visioneering brings clarity and purpose to a meandering, chaotic life by bringing four elements to it: passion, motivation, direction, and purpose.
  
  How do these values play out in the life of a Christian? Well, we’re all a product of Christ’s vision – each of us was created to contribute in some unique way to the realization of his vision.
  
  We also each come preprogrammed with a vision, unique to us and part of Christ's creative plan. If we can discern that vision, it’ll contribute to the completion of Christ's vision. Here’s how you can tell a vision from a whim or a fleeting idea: A vision begins with hearing, reading, or seeing something that generates concern. For example, say you read an article about how difficult it is for impoverished children to reach their potential. This may generate within you a deep concern for these children.
  
  But is that a vision? After all, the world contains many things to be concerned about: those impoverished children, yes, but also stray cats, deforestation, and the epidemic of loneliness among the elderly. So which one is it? How can you tell which issue will generate your vision?
  
  Simply ask yourself which one breaks your heart.
  
  A vision that’s ordained by God feels like a moral imperative. What’s more, it connects to something that’s happening in the world right now, with the current generation. When you’ve honed in on a concern that you simply can’t rest without attempting to resolve, you’ve identified your inspiration.
  
  Once you’ve done this, wait! Your vision needs to mature before you take action, and God will send you a sign when your vision reaches maturity.
• 
  Steven Bullmer

  I read the 1999 original book twice. Stanley has updated some of his material, most of his illustrations, and the practical application at the end of each chapter of the principles taught in the chapter. The new version of Visioneering now contain discussion questions at the back of the book. The subtitle has changed too. Originally it was "God's blueprint for developing and maintaining vision." In the revised and updated version the subtitle reads; "Your Guide for Discovering and Maintaining Personal Vision." The changes reflect a change in the target audience. Whereas the first book was aimed primarily at leaders--secular or church-related--who want to be godly leaders. The updated version now includes parents as leaders of their families as well as the business and ecclesiastical leaders. The move toward inclusivity and encouraging parents to think and to strategize as leaders of their household is a good move.
  Honestly, I really like this book! I got as much or more out of it the third time through as I did the previous two. Some of that is because I have matured as a person and as a leader and I have a greater understanding and appreciation of what Stanley is saying in this book. And some of it is because the depth at which Stanley explores the whole process of visioneering requires multiple reads to have it all sink in.
  Early on in the introduction, Stanley boils down "visioneering" to an equation. Visioneering + inspiration + conviction + action + determination + completion. Visioneering is about engineering the meaning and purpose of your life by discerning the plans God has for your life and connecting the two. Doing that is a process, and the book walks you through the process.
  Saying that does not mean visioneering is cut-and-dried or one-size-fits-all. All visions are unique and tailor-made for each individual or individual family, business, or church.
  Throughout the book Stanley follows the biblical story of Nehemiah--a Jew living in Persia and serving the king. Nehemiah gets a vision--a burden on his heart--to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The book of Nehemiah tells the story of how the namesake goes from wine-taster to the king to wall-builder of Jerusalem. Along the way Stanley highlights the visioneering and leadership skills Nehemiah exhibits which helps him accomplish his task, his purpose in life, his vision. We can use Nehemiah as a role model to help us see and do God's vision for our lives.
  As Stanley said in his Introduction: "Everybody ends up somewhere in life. A few people end up somewhere on purpose." Visioneering will help you find and fulfill your purpose in life.
• 
  Kevin Godinho

  If you are wrestling with your life's mission, a vision you have, or wondering what God is calling you to, you will enjoy this book. For me, it was one of those books that resonated really well with what I'm going through and offered just what I needed. The beginning really encouraged me, more so than the rest, but the whole book is good.
  
  There are things God is calling you to now. If you are a husband, He is calling you to lay down your life for your wife. If you are a father, He is calling you to bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Whatever your job title is, God is calling you to be a faithful and hardworking steward in that position. Those are the things that we need to focus on the most. We need to make sure we are upholding those to the best of our ability before we consider anything else.
  
  There might be something  you're wrestling with. You feel like the Lord is calling you to more than the obvious. Maybe you're in a job you don't feel utilizes the gifts God has given you. Maybe you dream of earning an income doing something you are actually passionate about.
  
  If there is a vision on your heart, take it to the Lord. Wrestle with Him about it. Wrestle until you get an answer. The answer might be wait. And that's okay. Don't focus so much on the questions you don't have answers to. Focus on what you do have the answers to and go from there.
  
  Be faithful with the little. God has a way of rewarding those who are faithful with what they have already been given and giving them more to be responsible for. Be faithful with what you know you ought to, and tend to what the Lord sees fit to bring into your path.
  
  If you have something burning in you that you can't ignore any longer, take action. Don't pursue your vision in haste. Be patient. If He is originating it in you, He will ensure it comes to pass.
• 
  Beth

  “Your set of visions is unique to you. No one else will share your particular passions for what could be. Others may applaud them. They may buy into the aspects of your vision that interface with their life. And they may work with you in the areas where you share a common vision. But your vision-set is unique to you. This uniqueness gives your life purpose. You have a reason for getting up and showing up.”
  
  Effective leadership begins with a vision. A personal view of the call God has placed on your life. Author and pastor Andy Stanley has revised and updated his book Visioneering. Included in each chapter are discussion and reflection questions.
  
  This leadership book looks at the life of Nehemiah. Stanley pulls out 20 principles or building blocks to reflect on and implement in your personal pursuit of discovering the vision God has for you and how to develop it. “Vision serves as intrinsic motivation. We move in a direction because we want to, not because we are told to. Instead of pushing and cajoling us into action, a vision draws and even enchants us.”
  
  Shifting between the story of Nehemiah and stories of people Stanley has encountered, the totality of the value of vision in one’s life is revealed. Along with the value of casting vision in others, practical advice is given like don’t discuss your vision until you have a strong understanding of what God is laying on your heart.
  
  I found this book to be very helpful is discerning how my dreams and talents might come together to glorify God. Stanley is transparent, revealing mistakes from his past, but maintains a disposition of encouragement throughout.
  
  If you are seeking books to add to your leadership library, this is one to include for sure.
• 
  Alex Lee

  This is an interesting book. It approaches following one's vision and aligning one's life to purpose, but from a framework of Christianity.
  
  This book is for those who want to "discover and maintain personal vision". Arguably that is one major aspect for having faith in a religion, that religion can provide a common framework for considering and finding one's place in the world.
  
  Congruent with many self-help books, Stanley works from an objective, definable metric of a desired "result" back to the root of what makes us ourselves. From a result, we get to necessary action, and then from action to emotion and thought -- the concept is that such a deconstruction must present alignment from who we are to who God intends for us to be... that our faith must compel us to act and that such action is essentially what our lives are and who we are.
  
  I thought this book was a little too scattered for my taste, however, Stanley ends pretty nicely.
  He acknowledges the fundamentally entrepreneurial nature of his book as pursuing something greater than one's self is not necessarily for everyone. He states that if we are haunted by a vision it is up to us to pursue it or to ignore it. That calling is our life, and that choice is simply that, a choice that is left between us and God.
• 
  Dustin (dragonarmybooks)

  Probably one of the best books I've read on leadership.
  
  Now, Stanley doesn't include the statistics and figures and charts and graphs that other leadership authors might effectively invoke. Instead, he examines the biblical story of Nehemiah and extracts key leadership principles from Nehemiah's story. Some chapters are relatively weak, but most are powerful, containing the perfect mixture of explanation, illustration, and application, while remaining all together inspiring.
  
  Many books that attempt something like this tend to pull out of Scripture something that is not there OR they tend to deliver a theologically lite, self-help gospel. Visioneering does neither.
  
  While this book will serve Christian leaders best, it is certainly applicable to any current or future leader in any realm of influence.
• 
  Michael Hentrich

  This book was such an insightful read. Andy really goes in depth into what it means to establish a vision, whether it is for your family, business, church or anything else. He talks about how to identify when your vision is coming from God or if it is more or less a good idea.
  
  As a pastor of a growing church, I am constantly looking to develop myself as a better leader and visionary. I am also looking for signs that we are going in the right direction and doing the right thing. This book confirmed all that and much more. I feel better equipped for the different obstacles and challenges that are bound to come as we travel this path, and I also have a better understanding of why we've gone through the challenges we've already dealt with.
  
  Definitely a great book for anyone looking to more clearly define any vision for life. I loved it from start to end.
• 
  Justin

  This is a helpful book, though it could be shorter. It has a number of good, practical tips from a guy who really understands vision. A lot of being a visionary leader, however, ultimately comes down to gifting and wiring. That can make it frustrating to hear what could be a more guarded version of spiritual leadership which can come off as a 'soft prosperity' gospel. Stanley talks about making yourself/ ministry "blessable", which comes pretty close to saying if you do x....God will do y. He doesn't say that, but he doesn't protect against that sort of formulaic understanding as much as I would like. Admittedly hard to do in a book which is geared in a pragmatic direction, but I would have liked more acknolwedgment that godly, good, hard-working, dedicated people do not always rise to the top or achieve earthly success.