Do Your Congregation’s Goals
Mask Mission
or Measure Mission?
Small churches are often asked to draft mission statements.
This is a common step taken in the corporate world. Things are a bit different there.
Most corporations are founded on the dreams of one person. The mission statement, in the corporate world, is often an effort to get everyone on board with what the management has already defined as the Corporate Mission. The people owe their paychecks to management.
The process is different in congregations. Congregations are more grass roots. The people drafting the Mission Statement are also the people providing the funding.
It helps to have an understanding of goals before a Mission Statement is drafted. It may be too late for that. But it is never too late to set goals.
In churches you have “management” in the form of clergy and regional offices. They carry a lot of weight even when the constitutions give the laity the job of management. In more hierarchical denominations, there is some remote leader who has some ultimate say.
The larger Church has goals for congregations. They may not be the same goals as the people who fill the offering plates—and the people who are given the task of drafting the mission statement.
Mission statements are different from goals.
Mission can be worked at incrementally and can withstand setbacks—even failure.
Goals are measurable and potentially more critical for survival.
Goals change from year to year. Mission statements can change too but have a longer life.
You can achieve your mission without achieving your goals, but you are likely to be judged for failing to achieve goals.
Mission statements are lofty.
- “To preach the gospel to every nation.”
- “To make the name of Jesus known in our neighborhood.”
- “To serve the needy with the love of Christ.”
Goals are practical.
- To make this year’s budget.
- To accept 20 new people each month into membership.
- To improve worship attendance.
- To hire a second pastor.
- To replace the boiler or roof.
- To engage families.
Congregational goals are often at odds with goals of church leaders. The goals of church leaders might read like this:
- To find employment for pastors.
- To make sure benevolence is a budgeted item.
- To protect congregational assets.
- To make sure that congregations are faithful to doctrine.
Ideally, there is some commonality between a congregation’s goals and a regional body’s goals.
Work for a balance between mission and goals.
One can become the means to the other. This presents a confusing message to members and potential members. ”Is this church about mission or is it about goals?” A sure sign that a congregation is confusing mission and goals is when you hear this gripe: “All they are interested in is my money.”
You can acheive your goals and fail to achieve your mission. Many churches that are considered successful are very good at reaching goals with no mission direction.
Take a look at your ministry. Did you meet your goals this year? Did you have any goals? Did you fulfill your mission?
Churches never close for lack of mission.
Churches close because they didn’t reach goals—their goals or someone else’s goals for them.
Oddly, mission failure will probably be cited as the reason. It won’t matter how wrong this is. Damage will be done.
Goals trump mission. Sad but true.
Start paying attention to both NOW!