While filling out the questionnaire for the upcoming Launch Conference that I will be attending, one question was what was my mission statement. I realized that every hospital that I had worked and perhaps even Florida Cardiology have had a mission statement; yet, did I know those and did I truly follow them or let them guide my work at that company? Suddenly, I realized that a mission statement for myself and my ministry for Christ must be one that really and truly guides what I do. Truly a mission statement should be one that I return to often to see if indeed I am accomplishing what I have set forth to do. Do you have a mission statement for your life? If so, what would it be? For Paul the apostle, his mission statement is as follows:
Philippians 3: 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
For Paul the apostle, this was what guided every area of His life. This is what he was truly passionate about. I have written previously in blogs and also have a chapter in "A Broken and Contrite Heart" that asks, "What is your true passion?" Let’s take this one step further, is that for which you are most passionate become your mission statement? Passion is an emotion and must come first; yet, to be passionate without actions that transform that passion into one’s life mission little is accomplished beyond sitting and reveling in that passion. Example: I can be passionate about dieting and exercise; yet, nothing happens until that passion is followed by action–a mission or goal set. Developing a mission statement for your life guides you toward accomplishing and fulfilling your greatest passion by 3 means.
Mean #1: Goal Oriented. A mission statement causes one to look ahead toward the goal. As Paul whose goal became reaching the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. His goal was to become like Christ and to accomplish all that God had called him to do in the ministry of Christ.
Mean #2 Focus. A mission statement when reviewed, posted, memorized, and quoted regularly helps you to focus on what is important toward fulfilling that goal. Focus then prevents you from wandering off track down life’s road.
Mean #3: Forces Action. Setting forth a mission statement demands action. It requires that one develop steps toward accomplishing that mission. Back to the diet/exercise example–you must now develop a step by step guide toward accomplishing the goal. (Recognize, that using the diet/exercise example, I do not suggest that your life mission be just that–merely it is an example that is easily understood and can be a smaller mission under the big true mission since health is important to reach any goal.)
So back to my answering the questionnaire and establishing my mission statement, I decided to look at the mission statements of some of my favorite pastor’s ministries. So I turned to Truthforlife.org with Alistair Begg. There I noted the mission statement to be: " To teach the Bible with clarity and relevance so that unbelievers will be converted, believers will be established, and local churches will be strengthened. " I thought about all of the teaching I have heard from Alistair Begg and I said, "Wow, he truly follows and performs exactly his mission statement. Then I looked at Leadingtheway.org with Michael Youssef and noted his mission statement to be "leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ, by passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth " Once more, I realized that their mission statement guided all that they did. So more urgently I searched for what would I say was my mission statement. Then I looked at my business cards and realized, I had already stated it over a year ago; that was my true mission statement. How could I have hesitated? I must write it so heavily on my heart and post it around me so that I never forget. It is Seeking and Savoring Christ that His Love and His Joy might be displayed.
So let me ask you once more, what is your life’s mission statement?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyuyOnVrATM (Preview)