Mission Statement

A Mission Statement, in my world, is a decision organizations make about how to implement their vision. The Vision Statement is defining the purpose for the organization, the “Why” it exists, and defining the future in the present tense. Others who lead strategic planning have other definitions for these terms.

Defining a mission for the church is a choice that members make about answering God’s call for that particular congregation. The Great Commission is not a choice. It’s a Biblical mandate for churches. As Paul Borden states, churches not following the Great Commission are disobedient to scripture. A mission is a choice. The Great Commission is not a choice.

Making disciples is a continuous process. We must continue to make disciples even though we are not good at it! Then these disciples are motivated and charged to work toward fulfilling the mission for ministry.

Planning

As a musical conductor, I understand the need for a road map for choirs and orchestras to follow. It’s with careful intentional planning (the sheet music is the result of this “planning” called “composing”) that everyone in the culture knows how to be engaged in the process and knows what the ultimate outcome is supposed to be.

Our duty and delight, as spiritual leaders of a congregation, is to clearly state the vision God has given us and to allow others to play into that vision. Many times pastors don’t want to articulate their vision. I’m remembering a conversation I had with Bishop Dick Wills in planning a two-day session with his cabinet around this topic of a vision. He said to me, in response to my question about who sets a vision, “I don’t remember any place in the Bible where God gave a vision to a committee!”

It’s Leadership!

Here’s my summary, yet again, for how I define leadership:

A leader…

…Gets thing done (results driven).

…Knows or discovers HOW things get done (process).

…Influences others in achieving a common vision (impact).

 

Principally, leaders lead by influencing others to perform at a high standard.

What’s your vision (destination) for the church you lead? And the companion mission (application of the vision)?

Please comment below.

 

Blessings,