Organizations all over the world have started talking about their mission and their vision.  Churches are no different.

Church boards and leadership gather together and go through the exercise of coming up with a mission statement and a vision statement.   They get it printed and put it in a frame or on a plaque and hang it on a wall.  Then, happy and content, they go about business as usual. 

The power is not in the mission or vision statement, but rather in the fact that we have a vision or have a mission.  When we have a vision and have a mission and understand what they are, we can be empowered.

In helping churches define their mission and vision I have discovered a simple, but powerful truth.  Every person in the church has, to some degree, an idea of what the mission of the church is and a vision for the church.  Pastors, board members, deacons, teachers, all have an idea of what the mission of the church is.  They all have a vision for the church.

The key for the church is to understand its mission and to effectively communicate it and live by it.   In regard to the vision of the church it is critical to make sure it is a God given, God driven vision rather than our ambitions and self-serving dreams.  Then the church must discover and understand what will be required to fulfill the mission and vision.

Next Post - Understanding the differences between Vision, Mission, and Strategy.

Refreshing Rain Ministries can be scheduled for Revivals or other special speaking and teaching such as Christian Financial management, Marriage Enrichment seminars and more.  Just contact me at   Revraney@yahoo.com or 859-803-0025.

Refreshing Rain Ministries will be holding revival services at Covington Eastside Church of the Nazarene March 4th through 7th.  Rev. Raney will be joined by a quartet of singers comprised of Chris and Emily McCormick and Joe and Carrie Jaggers.  Covington Eastside Church of the Nazarene is located at 2505 Eastern Avenue in Covington, KY.