Leadership and Vision

People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.  -- John Maxwell

What do you think of this quote? Is it true?

A pastor told me a story once of his service in a church.  The church loved him and thought his ministry among them was good and a blessing.  One year, they decided to install new carpet in the sanctuary, and the carpet chosen was very light.  Fearing that communion grape juice spills on the carpet would stain it beyond repair, the pastor suggested that they use a lighter colored grape juice. Since they loved him, they loved his idea, and went with it.

This isn't a vision for his church, but it is an example of how building trust among the people with whom you are in ministry is important.  It is - as they say - all about relationship.  Getting to know people, showing them acts of caring and compassion, listening to them, encouraging them, suffering with them - all lead to relationships of trust.  And when God makes his vision for a congregation known to that leader, then those who already trust him will see God in it, because they can look through the trusted leader.

Otherwise, my experience has been, that the distrust clouds the issues - whatever they might be.