Leading with Purpose-A Series in Leading Effectively in the 21st Century
Leadership in the 21st century is brutal. The rise of social media has provided every person with the opportunity to voice their opinion and provided a sense of self-assurance that was not previously available. Leading the church in the 21st century is even more difficult, which is why over the next two months, I will provide articles which will serve as strategies for pastors, church leaders, and ministry leaders to help lead effectively in our current context. These articles are not meant to be comprehensive, but to serve as an introductory springboard to launch you into the specific topic. If you would be interested in learning more on a particular topic, leave a comment on Facebook and I will work to provide a more in depth look at the specific article.
Leading any type of organization is hard enough in itself but leading an organization well without a clear and compelling mission and vision is downright impossible. Malphurs’ (Being Leaders, 60) recognizes that for a church to be successful it needs both a mission and a vision. These are equally valuable, but distinguishing between the two is important, as each plays a distinct role, both in the organization and in the manner which the leader interacts with each idea. The mission for any church is the same since Christ gave it to her over 2,000 years ago. Jesus has called his church, no matter its size, shape, or organizational structure to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:19-20a). The mission, then, lies in making disciples who make disciples. Yes, part of making disciples includes evangelism, fellowship, service, worship, and spiritual disciplines. By taking Jesus’ mandate and making it personal to their individual church and context each church can own Jesus’ mission.
The mission at the church I currently pastor is based off the Great Commission as well. We exist to exalt Christ, equip disciples, and engage the world. Having a mission each member can internalize helps members understand the reason it exists. Everything the church engages in (programming, evangelism strategies, outreach, service, fellowship, events) is measured against this mission and if the programming or event does not fulfill one of the three points of the mission statement, it is cut from the church, restructured so it does, or not added to the calendar or program.
Having a clear mission for the church to rally around and own is crucial to the success of the organization and funnels into the vision of the church.
Leading with a purpose also includes leading with a clear, compelling, and challenging vision. Vision differs from mission, as the mission guides what the organization does, it is the reason for the organization existing.
Vision paints with vibrant colors where the organization can and must go if it is to survive and reach its full potential.
Agee (“Leadership, Vision, and Strategic Planning,” 50) says the key to having a compelling vision take root in the organization is to “Make it clear. Keep it simple. Say it often. Make it burn.” At First Baptist De Soto, the church is working on shifting to a new vision to reach families for Christ. The church wants to “effectively reach families and the next generation for the Kingdom of God.” The church is changing many things, making small and large adjustments, reorganizing services, and even cutting out sacred cows to make this happen.
If the church desires to continue to live out its mission, then the church must chase its vision.
Often finding a vision for the church can be difficult. One way the pastor can determine the vision for the church is to discover where his God given passion, the church’s skillset, and the community’s needs align. Where these align, the church can plant a flag and claim a vision, knowing the vision is of God, achievable and beneficial to the church and the community.
Leading with a purpose includes both a mission and a vision. Let us lead well the flock God has given us and lead them to accomplish all God desires of us.
Assessment Questions:
1. What is the mission of my church?
2. Does the average member of my church know our mission?
3. How am I communicating the mission of the church?
In His Grace,
BD
Agee, Bob. “Leadership, Vision, and Strategic Planning.” In Christian Leadership Essentials,
edited by David Dockery, 46-64. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2011.
Malphurs, Aubrey. Being Leaders. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2003.