Such shifts impact the way church leaders function. Part of that functioning is preaching. Churches that function effectively keep both before the congregation continually. Such things are not always done through preaching, but preaching plays a major role in meeting these expectations. The primary method for casting vision and maintaining mission is telling stories.
Stories give people specific concrete examples of implementation.
They also produce motivation for involvement. And they stimulate new thinking about how participation in the mission and vision may be achieved. Today preachers must become collectors of stories more than collectors of illustrations. The stories need to be more about laity than clergy. The stories need to reflect positive approaches to thinking and service, often after great struggle.