I’m all for mission statements. They help us clarify the basics of what we are trying to do. It helps us prune back areas that are bogging us down. And it keeps all the tentacles of any organization moving in the same direction.
Something clicked however, when I visited the IKEA store in Chicago, IL. They have the Never Ending List as their way of moving forward in their mission. Posted in various places around the store are statements that are taken from their never ending list of things they want to accomplish and do right.
I could see the church adopting something along this line. Every single church, ultimately, has the same exact mission. And that mission has many facets. Here some examples:
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent”. – John 6:29
1Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ – Matthew 22:37
“Feed my sheep.” – John 21:17
and the list goes on and on…
I may begin something along these lines in our little church. What if we just placed a different aspect to our “mission” in the bulletin each week or posted them around the building? …”Here’s one more beautiful vision of what we dream to be as a church – taken from the powerful Word of God that not only shapes us, but transforms us”.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
By the way, thanks for the inspiration IKEA. I also enjoyed the $.50 hotdog.
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