Forget the Mission Statement... What's our Mission Question? (part 1)

Fifteen or more years ago the leadership of this congregation along with input from many of our members wrote a “mission statement” to try and capture the purpose of the Washington Street Church.  After much discussion, prayer and planning it was decided that the statement which best described what we were about was this: The Washington Street church of Christ seeks to serve and share Christ.  In the years that have followed that simple statement has continued to describe us.  We have incorporated it into our publications and I have preached on its implications in many ways.  I wonder… does it still describe us?  Does it still capture our mission?

On Sunday I began a new series entitled “Mission 2020”.  We will be re-examining our mission throughout this month and looking for ways to emphasize it.  I will also be talking about ways that each of our members can be a part of this mission and how we can bring new believers to it.  We will be setting some specific goals towards that mission and what we would like for year 2020 to look like for this church.  What will be different?  What will be the same?

I recently read an article from a business magazine that talked about mission and “mission statements.”  The author had interviewed the CEOs of some of the country’s most successful corporations and had come to a startling conclusion.  Forget the “mission statement” he said… what’s your “mission question”?  Great companies must be good at asking the right questions, the article went on to state.  It’s an interesting principle and I am curious as to how it might relate to churches.  The author went on to cite four specific questions which every successful organization must answer.  The first question?

#1  Why are we here in the first place?  Every organization must be able to articulate its reason for being.  In our case, church, why are we here?  It is easy, the article states, for companies to get so involved in the business of running the company that it forgets why it is in business to start with.  If this is true for businesses, it is surely true for churches!  The Washington St church has been here on this corner of Washington Street and Franklin for many, many years… since the mid 1830’s if our understanding of history is correct.  Do we remember why?  Is there a unique purpose for us to occupy this block?  There are many more churches in the county today than there were in previous decades.  Is there still a reason for us to be here?  You see why this is such an important question to ask… and one that must be answered not only by every church, but by every subsequent generation.  Times change.  Circumstances change.  Our purpose must constantly be re-evaluated and “re-remembered”, lest we forget what it is we are here for.

Scripture gives us a profound mandate.  In the words of Jesus in Acts 1:8, “You will be my witnesses…”  Put simply, we are here to witness to the profound grace and power of Jesus Christ.  Our mission expands outward from there, but it is there that it begins.  Join us Sunday as we explore Jesus’ instruction there.  In the coming weeks I’ll bring you the next three questions that we must also consider…  stay tuned & God bless.

-Jim