Does your ministry really need a Mission Statement?

Every church has one.  Usually they are posted somewhere in the lobby, maybe even over the door.  Many say something like "reaching people and making disciples."  Your church may use modern terms like "building a community of authentic Christ followers."  Some even have locations included.  My church "reaches across the street and around the world."  But does a church even need a mission statement?  Furthermore, does your children's ministry need a mission statement?  

The short answer is 'yes', but there is more to it than that. 

Every church has one.  Usually they are posted somewhere in the lobby, maybe even over the door.  Many say something like "reaching people and making disciples."  Your church may use modern terms like "building a community of authentic Christ followers."  Some even have locations included.  My church "reaches across the street and around the world."  But does a church even need a mission statement?  Furthermore, does your children's ministry need a mission statement?  

The short answer is 'yes', but there is more to it than that. 

Every endeavor of significance must know its objective.  Why does the ministry exist, and what does it mean to accomplish?  A mission statement provides this.  In that sense, a mission statement is good.

However, most church members, including children's ministry workers can not recite their church's mission statement.  They are likely inspired by it when thy walk through the lobby, but remain unaffected.  Most mission statements are so big, so broad, and so vague that they inspire our thoughts, but not our activity.

Recently, I taught a workshop to help key children's ministry workers write a mission statement that aligned with their church's statement.  17 out of 20 could not tell me the mission statement of their church.  The other three used Google.

Mission statements don't get things done.  Activity gets things done.  People get things done.  Your mission statement is only effective in as much as it inspires and encourages activity to take place.

At Awana, ours is that "All children and youth throughout the world will come to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ."  This is perfect to guide a worldwide ministry, but quite overwhelming for a small group leader with six rambunctious fifth graders.  

Maybe we should rethink our mission statement for those "in the trenches." For the small group leader, how about "every kid I work with will come to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.". This gives direction to the day to day activity that leads to life change.

I wonder if our mission statement hasn't already been written for us.  One of the folks attending my workshop asked an obvious question.  "How about this for a mission statement?   'Go into all the world and preach the gospel'.  That's what Jesus said".  I think he got it right.

Have a great day serving Him!