Your Vision statement defines where God wants you to be at an undetermined time in the future. Your Mission statement, shows the process you are using to accomplish the Vision. Think of it as the difference between a goal (the Vision) and the road map (the Mission). The Vision is the ‘what we are here to do’. The Mission is the ‘how we are going to do it’. We need both.
Nehemiah’s Vision could have been to bring revival to his people. Hence, his Mission statement could have been to teach and mobilize his people while building the wall.
Noah, could have had a Vision statement to change the world. Then, his Mission statement could have been to build the Arc saving his family and animals.
Joseph’s Vision statement could have been to save the people from famine. However, his Mission statement was to serve his Master by organizing and leading his kingdom.
God gave Moses a Vision of the Promised Land. Hence, his mission was to lead his people out of Egypt and into their future.
God has a Vision for us, “The Lord … is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV) Therefore, our Mission statement, given by God to us could be “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Go ye into all the world, teach and baptize.” (Matthew 28:19 NIV)
The Vision and Mission work together providing a ‘North Star’ to guide and an ‘anchor’ to keep us focused. I read somewhere that getting a satellite into orbit requires hundreds of minor mid-flight course corrections to achieve the target. Once your Ministry has these prayerful foundation statements, it just takes minor changes to accomplish what God has in mind.
Leadership is … knowing that God has directed us to lead our world to him, we are challenged to grow our Ministries in both quality and quantity of believers.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com