Vision: 

a) mode of seeing or conceiving

b) unusual discernment or foresight

c) direct physical awareness of the supernatural.

Jeremiah 14:14  And the LORD said to me: The prophets are prophesying lies in my name; I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.

Habakkuk 2:2-3  Then the LORD answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.  For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.

A vision, in the case of Children’s Ministry, is insight given by God about something. You may see the direction your children’s ministry should take, or you might be given insight and discernment on how to correct a problem. God can also give you insight into the future to know where He is taking the children’s ministry. Whatever the case, vision originates from God.

There is a move in the church world to elevate vision in the place of ministry. Everyone is encourage to have sessions to do vision casting. These sessions have their place if the group is seeking God’s vision for the ministry or seeking how to facilitate the vision God has given.

But we can become discouraged about the vision if we expect God to fulfill it in a certain way or expect Him to carry out the vision in the time frame we have set up. Vision is given by God to encourage us about what He is going to do in His way and in His time. If we try to force the vision to happen on our own in our timing, it will become a source of discouragement and burnout. All we can do is write down the vision, trust God to fulfill it, and set our sails in that direction. God does the rest.

We also get off track if we’re so anxious for a vision that we read books on children’s ministry and have planning sessions based on church growth strategies and end up using the vision God gave somebody else. Knowledge is good. But when we do this instead of seeking a vision from God, we put vision for our ministries in the place of God. This is when we are in danger of making children’s ministry an idol.