What is Your Mission Statement?

As we discern and pray about the disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church, I am reminded of PVUMC’s mission statement.  “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”  As we discern for our church, we should be discerning what we believe and where we stand.  

In 1998, I decided I needed to write a mission statement and it took me a while to think of what I wanted it to be.  I needed it to help me hold myself accountable.  I try to read it often, keeping a copy in my Bible, and I have it taped up in my office at work.  My mission statement is to, "Live my life in joy by always having a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, share this joy with others and pass it down for generations to come."  While looking at mission statements I saw one from Our Daily Bread that I love.  "Our mission is to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all."

Mission statements can be found in the Bible.  Genesis 12:2 says, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”  God made this covenant with Abram.  He told him, "you will be a blessing."  Paul had a mission statement from Philippians 3:10-11, "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."  Paul wanted to know Jesus, he wanted to experience Jesus' power and he wanted to identify with sufferings. 

Our relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship we will ever have.  We want every person in every nation to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him.  If we help someone do this then they can grow in their faith and share that Truth with others, the ripple effect.  

What is your mission statement?