Transforming Church

Though short (brief in verbiage), it is broad in nature (philosophical), keeping in mind who the congregation hopes to reach and what it hopes to accomplish for Christ before He returns. Hopefully only a short sentence or two, preferably ten words or less, it will enable everyone in the congregation to memorize it so it is always on their lips.

Keep in mind that even a slogan might be able to capture the essence of a good mission statement. It should also be seen as more of a theological statement that brings the congregation’s ministry into focus.

While there is certainly need and place for maintenance ministry, one of the clear benefits of having a mission statement is that it encourages the congregation to be more missional than maintenance. It is sad to see survival concerns in a mission statement, since encouraging people to commit themselves to survival is an admission of defeat.

A mission statement should suggest more action than it describes. Also, though it is not merely something to be encouraged or desired, it is entirely possible that more than one congregation can have the same mission statement.

Though not every coach will agree, mission generally precedes vision. Mission relates to general approaches to action. Vision relates to specific ministry.

VISION: A vision statement, while hopefully still short, is actually more specific, detailed, customized and unique to one’s own congregation. It should be understood that it is not possible for two churches to have the same vision, as "your" vision needs to be uniquely "your" place in Christ’s vision for the total Church. As the vision takes shape, it is what allows decisions about opportunities, directions, types of ministry, and how the congregation intends to "do" its ministry. It plays a more significant role in the strategic planning of a congregation. It does not simply reflect the direction of the church. Decisions about the specifics of ministry are made in the context of the vision.

How vision is identified is not the result of consensus among the church’s leadership, though the existence of the vision should lead the leadership to consensus. Vision is closer to God’s truth than it is to a human consensus of polity. Therefore, like scripture itself, it needs to be someone's Holy Spirit led (inspired) "best" understanding (interpretation) of what it is that God wants the congregation to do. With the pastor being the chief theologian of the congregation, it would be rare that there would be any other preferred person to take up this responsibility. The pastor needs to approach this task in the deepest context of spiritually listening to God, tons of prayer and meditation, doing whatever he or she can do to minimize human influence, including his or her own.

Then, as the vision begins to be unveiled, consensus of leadership becomes a factor as all weigh the vision against the mission. Vision doesn’t unveil itself all at once, and it becomes important for the pastor to take to heart that the Holy Spirit will speak through others as well. Bearing that responsibility in mind, the pastor/senior pastor always carries the responsibility as keeper (primary interpreter) of the vision for the congregation. As much as eighty percent of a pastor’s time should involve casting vision to others.

Though never static and always emerging, a point will be reached at which the vision can be embodied, though not completely contained, in a statement as well. Leadership should be invited to tweak the verbiage, and to interpret it into their own responsibility in ministry. Each ministry area should also have its own mission and possibly even vision statement. Regardless whether there is a vision statement or not, the primary leader of that ministry area ought to be able to articulate the vision for that ministry.

The absolute goal for all true vision is to glorify God. The purpose of vision is to create the future. All effective leaders must be visionaries and the vision of each leader for their ministry needs to fit into the overall vision. All leaders are visionaries, but not all pastors are leaders. What identifies people as leaders is not their position or title, but their mind-set and actions. What provides the mind-set for the leader and in turn motivates her or his action, is vision.

Does the vision change with time, frequently? The vision has a fluid dimension, always emerging, but usually the vision will outlast the visionary. Interestingly, while God’s vision for the congregation always has new chapters, it is not something that will frequently change drastically. It is also true that a well prepared vision statement will have to be altered. We are called to do ministry in the midst of chaos, not add to it. Vision should always challenge a congregation, not scare it.

(drawing upon explanations by George Barna in “The Power of Vision”)