I am at a conference in Chicago with about 20 other Lutheran pastors. I always learn so much when I gather with brothers. I am challenged in my thinking and strategic planning. This week we are talking about the Reveal study from Willow Creek, about effective church branding, and understanding the culture in our community. All good stuff.
Anyway, a comment was made by our instructor, J. David Smith. He said, “Memory is stronger than vision.” I found that to be a great statement. But before I go on about what it means to me, I am curious about how you might interpret that comment. Do you agree? Disagree? Are you clear about our vision? I am anxious to hear from you and look forward to a fun discussion.
Memory is stronger than vision.
Posts: 
Comments: 
Tim said,
October 7, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Absolutely! Memory is very much stronger than vision. Why? From my perspective, it is “burned into” out beings. We’ve lived it; experienced it. enjoyed or were very much hurt by it. It will not go away!
However, once folks have been given and embrace a vision, it provides hope which can overcome memory, or at least shroud and filter it so it is not overwhelming and vivid. Vision, well cast and articulated and championed can lead people out of the depths of memory, if it is encumbering.
The key from my perspective in casting the wonderful vision,articulating it and living it along with the path forward. Nobody wants to remain behind, especially when there is hope being offered! As long as all are in board and “rowing in the same direction” vision will overcome the strenght of memory.
Jaime said,
October 8, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I agree too… like Tim said, memory encompasses our senses. It’s also unchanging (although it can fade or be exaggerated with time). Vision is yet-to-be-experienced, so it can change. It’s also not rooted in our senses.
Tracy said,
October 8, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Memory is stronger because we have really experienced it. Vision is a promise, an unknown. It seems like to get a vision to be stronger, one would have to work at making it be very clear and real (not abstract), and connecting it to things people might have experienced.
Enjoy Chicago!!!!
Eric Fesmire said,
October 8, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Been trying to figure this one out…really wish I knew the context of the quote!!! However, since others have already answered I have material to work off of
I agree. Memory is stronger. Hadn’t known why until everyone else commented, but the whole experience thing makes sense. I would also add this. Memory keeps us rooted to the past – for better or for worse. But memory can also spur vision and direction for the future – like the abused child who vows to provide and envisions a better life for their children. I think Tracy hit it on the head…vision needs to connect to memories (good or bad) to have a real impact.
Wow…gotta think about this one some more. There are definite possibilities here…
Jeff said,
October 12, 2009 at 12:24 am
It all depends what you do with the perspective topics, vision and memory… One could have a great vision, but no way to express it, just as one could have a great memory and have no real way to express the memory to others. Memory allows us to stay rooted with what we already know, giving us comfort and safety, a vision, if pursued will often lead us down a path untrodden, forcing us out out our comfort zones, thus leading us to learn more about ourselves and others. And to go with what Tracy said, ambiguity is an important thing to watch out for with visions. Things aren’t always what they seem, but if we allow ourselves to step back and look at a certain occurrence from many different angles, we find that we gain more knowledge then had we only looked at one piece of the puzzle.
A memory is bounded by your recollection of the event, a vision is limitless up-in-to the point it becomes a memory. So actually, a memory is founded upon a vision leading up to it, thus making a vision essential to a memory…
So, I find vision to be stronger because without a vision in life, what purpose does life have? If we dwell only in memory, we will never allow ourselves to move forward towards our goals in life.
sweetsoup said,
October 12, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I agree that memory is stronger than vision. It doesn’t mean it’s more IMPORTANT than vision. It just means you have to pay attention to what people’s memories might be. It also means that vision has to be held up and articulated and repeated and repeated and repeated (not in monotonous ways, but in creative ways that capture people’s hope and imagination). I think this is a chief responsibility for leaders. In the Old Testament the leaders (and God, actually) often pointed to memory (“Remember I am the Lord your God who brought you out of slavery…”) to point to what God will do in the future–vision. Remember, God saved us once, He’ll surely do it again. To me, that’s one way that memory and vision work together.
If we don’t understand the power of memory, we will get surprised by how impacted people are by a change that seems driven by a God-given vision to us. Helping people share their memories is one way to help them set them aside for vision.