“How to Write a Mission and Purpose Statement”
In order for your ministry to thrive, you must be able to craft with your leadership team two statements: 1) A Mission Statement, and 2) a Purpose Statement. The leader (you) should be the catalyst and have a basic idea of these two statements that reflects your heart and passion. However, the more you involve your leadership team in crafting these two statements, the more ownership you will create.
Mission Statement = what question; summary of the reason why your ministry exists. Church’s mission statement: “Helping people take the next step towards Jesus Christ.” It communicates progression in our faith, incremental steps everyone can take, no matter what faith level they are at. It also communicates our end goal is Jesus Christ. All we do points to Him; His teachings, life, death and resurrection.
Designed to take the ambiguity out of spiritual growth
Embraces the individuality of maturity; all grow different rates, all at different places, all can take different steps
Process that focuses on journey not just destination
Emphasis is on making progress then being perfect; taking the step in front
Emphasis is not on where you should be, but where you can be.
In order to stay consistent with the direction of our church, your ministry needs to adopt the same basic mission, just to make sure we are moving in the same direction. In other words, your mission statement should read…
“Helping take the next step towards Jesus Christ.”
(Insert your demographic, such as women, men, children, college, etc.).
You need to see your ministry as providing a variety of environments that help people take incremental steps of learning more about and relating more deeply to Jesus Christ.
Purpose Statement = how question; how will our ministry be structured, how will we go about serving our people. Our church’s purposes list 6 very clear environments or steps
Exploring = These environments are outreach events that take place primarily in the community. The purpose is to helping people explore the Christian faith, ask questions, and admit their doubts. These events simply expose the unchurched to the people of LVCC. Ministries with an exploring focus generally target unchurched people by providing events and programs out in the community. (i.e. Harvest Parties, booths at festivals, service projects, etc.)
Believing = This environment is usually our Weekend Services, in which we persuade people to believe in Christ, become baptized and participate in worship, the Lord’s Supper. Ministries with a believing focus generally target people on the verge of faith, communicating the gospel and giving them a chance to respond with a decision for Christ. (i.e. retreats, concerts, breakfasts/luncheons, etc.)
Belonging =
Growing =
Serving =
Leading =
Now you need to figure out which of these purposes your ministry will emphasize. Unless you plan on working full-time, only 1-3 of these steps should be attempted in your ministry. You shouldn’t feel the pressure for your ministry to be all things to all people. Simply identify 1-3 of the above steps and begin fleshing those out in a purpose statement.
Step #1: Identify your target audience.
Is there an age group, gender, or a life stage are you attempting to reach?
Is there a common problem your ministry will attempt to solve?
Is there a hurt or hardship your ministry will attempt to comfort?
Insert that in the sentence…
“Helping to take the next step towards Jesus Christ.”
This mission statement will remind your team who you are trying to reach, and who you aren’t trying to reach.
Step #2: Identify your passion areas for ministry.
What are your passions…teaching the bible? Reaching the lost? Serving the poor? Missions work? Training leaders?
How can your ministry make the greatest contribution to the kingdom of God?
What environment is your ministry uniquely suited to provide?
Write them down:
Step #3: Identify 2 or 3 steps or environments you will create.
At this point you will be tempted to write down too many steps! However, it is better to be very effective in a few things than trying to do too much. Assuming you and your team are volunteers, you must limit you purposes to 2 or at the most 3 environments!
Which of the church’s 6 steps resonates with you most?
Which area do the pastor’s believe are weaknesses in our church that your ministry might be able to shore up?
Which steps reflect your teams passions and interests?
Circle the steps your ministry will focus on:
Exploring
Believing
Belonging
Growing
Serving
Leading
Step #4: Brainstorm activities and events that can accomplish the 2 or 3 steps you’ve circled.