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A Word about Mission
from Associate Regional Minister
Rev. David Woodard
We have all been immersed in the doctrine of mission statements. Take a ride in an elevator of any hospital; walk through the doors of most restaurants; visit any business physically or on the internet, stop by any church and you will see plastered somewhere, “Our mission is to….”
Mission statements are important. They share with others, and remind ourselves, the purpose of the work we are all about. Mission statements help congregations explore what it means to “be church” in the community. But when in the world did we get it in our heads that the mission was ours? The mission, the work, the ministry—all of it belongs to God.
So perhaps we should be more concerned that we are living into AND out of God’s mission. We, just like our mission, belong to God. So let’s begin living, not like our church has a mission; rather, let us live like God’s mission has a church! (Thanks Michael Kinnamon and Jan Linn)!
People are looking for a church, a church they can belong to, a church where they feel that their presence matters. People feel that they matter when they know they are part of something that makes a difference. That’s why it is important that we shift our focus and be intentional about being part of God’s mission. Otherwise, we end up doing whatever feels comfortable and convenient, and cross our fingers that God approves.
God’s mission has many churches. May one of them be yours.
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