It’s a question we expect churches to have an inspiring answer for. It would be somewhat disconcerting if churches did not have clarity and conviction around the answer to this really important question.
If we expect churches (or any organization for that matter) to have a compelling answer to the question, then why would we expect anything less from ourselves? This might be too ‘general’ of a statement, but from personal observation, the reason that so many have a hard time having greater ownership in their church they call home is not because of an un-compelling answer, rather, it’s because they don’t know how to answer the question for themselves.
So what is this crucial question? Here you go…
What is the Mission & Vision for your life?
Mission is about what you are committed to doing day in and day out no matter where you are, who you’re with or how you’re feeling. Your mission does not change despite the ever changing circumstances of your life. If mission is what we’re committed to doing every day, then vision is a picture of what your life would look like if you accomplished the mission that you’ve given yourself to.
There is no need to have a cleverly drafted mission and vision statement, but what is needed is an answer to that question. Where there is no answer, life will quickly become just trying to maintain and or survive the situation and circumstances you find yourself in.
As you think and pray through how to answer this question, please consider this. Is your answer both biblical and eternal? Meaning, is your answer consistent with the Character of God and is your answer bigger than you – will it out last you?
For me, my mission is best summed up in Acts 13:22. My mission is to be a man after God’s own heart, doing all that God would want me to do. That’s it. Nothing clever, and nothing fancy. But what I have is clarity and conviction around what I am committed to doing each day, every day no matter where I am or who I’m with. I fall short of this mission more than I’d care to admit, but part of being a man after God’s own heart is being willing to get back up and get back in the race after every stumble I take.
My vision is best summed up in Acts 13:36. Simply stated, that when I get to the end of my story and I breathe my last breath, I can rest assured that I served the purposes of God my generation. In other words, my vision is that I’d accomplish ALL that God had entrusted to me.
If you know what your mission and vision is, then the good news is that when you come across a church community that shares your mission and vision, then you’ll be able to partner with that community in helping them, and consequently yourself in accomplishing the mission and vision you’ve given yourself to. In all reality, you cannot accomplish your mission and vision on your own. You need others in your life to help encourage, challenge, motivate and spur you on towards being faithful to the mission & vision God has entrusted to you.
It’s a really big question. Spend time praying and processing your answer. And as God leads you, begin living your everyday in view of the mission and vision that God has entrusted to you.
You can watch/listen to more on Mission & Vision here.
