Do you have a mission / vision statement for your children's ministry?
There are big benefits that come from having a mission statement.
Let's look at a few of the benefits and some general tips on how to implement a mission statement.
A mission statement clarifies what your ministry is about. It takes everything you do and narrows it down to a short statement.
A mission statement is a key part of focusing your team on what matters to the ministry. What is your ministry passionate about? What are the "wins" for your ministry? What does success look like?
A mission statement tells people why you do what you do. It moves beyond what you do and shows people why you do what you do. It helps volunteers understand why they are serving. It brings alignment to the ministry based on the why.
A mission statement helps your team members stay focused. It is a rally point that you can take team members back to.
A mission statement keeps team members motivated. They know what they are doing, but if you are not intentional, they can forget why they are doing the what. A mission statement will keep them excited about serving. Especially when you share with them the stories of lives that are being changed by them living out the mission statement.
Here are some tips on creating a mission statement:
Keep it short. If you want people to know the mission statement and memorize it, then you need to keep it to a sentence or less. If you already have a mission statement, go around and ask some of your team members what it is. Can they say it? Do they have clarity on why they are serving?
Align your mission statement with the overall church mission statement. Keep it as close to the church mission statement as possible. This will make it easier for team members to know it and remember it.
Here's an example:
Overall church mission statement - Impacting the World with the Love and Message of Jesus Christ.
Children's ministry mission statement - Impacting Kids and Families with the Love and Message of Jesus Christ.
Repeat it. Repeat it. Repeat it. Mission statements leak. That's why you must constantly be promoting the mission statement. Say it every time you meet with team members. Put it in your email tagline. Share it through social media. Share the stories of people whose lives have been impacted through team members living out the mission.
Show it. Put it on the walls and other key areas in your ministry area so people see it every week.
If you don't yet have a mission statement, now is the time to create one. Get with your team and craft it. The benefits that will come are well worth the time and energy.
Do you already have a mission statement for your ministry? We would love to see what it is. You can leave it in the comment section below.
