Developing A Church Mission Statement

As you are developing a church mission statement, you will need to be clear on your apostolic mission. This helps the church know what to do to see success, and is essential for it to function as a healthy apostolic church.

What is church mission?

In short, the mission is what you do – “we exist to..” The mission is focused on the present and what we need to be doing. A church mission is functional and purposeful. It informs and speaks to the head tends to be ‘known’, in the sense it is understood cerebrally. A mission makes today clear and is like a job description, bringing direction to what needs to be done. 

An effective mission statement answers the following question:

To whom, or where, has God sent us? 

To what place, or what people, are we called to reach? What part of this Great Commission is our responsibility?

When we know the answer, we must focus on it relentlessly and faithfully. That is how we ensure we remain ‘on mission’.

Why is it important?

A mission statement brings awareness, clarity, and focus on God’s unique call to the church, for both leaders and the people.

What are the benefits of a church mission statement?

1. A mission statement provides the bedrock for the church to discern its God-given vision.
2. A mission statement enables the church to identify the values it needs for success.
3. A mission statement aids the church in implementing the right structural form and function.
4. A mission statement enables the church to correctly discern strategic priorities.

What happens if it is lacking?

Resources, time, energy and money are spent on activities God hasn’t called the church to do.

How do we develop a church mission?

Clarifying and developing your church mission statement requires time and conversation, but the rewards and benefits are worth it! I’ve developed a resource – my Make A Mission That Matters blueprint – which will help you begin the process of developing your own church mission statement. You can download it from HERE.

This post is part of a series on Healthy Principles For Church Organisational Structure. You can see links to the other posts in this series here.

1. What constitutes a healthy church organisational structure?
2. Be clear on the difference between mission and vision
3. Develop a mission statement
4. Develop a vision statement
5. Develop a core values statement
6. Develop a leadership structure

To find out the current health of your church in these areas, I have developed a church health assessment. You can take it by clicking here.