Transitioning from a minister-centric ministry practice to a mission-centric paradigm of ministry requires a cultural evolutionary process. It’s not about having a mission statement, it’s about reconfiguring the entire organization — it’s structures, practices, and systems, and every role and accountability to align with the aim of mission fulfillment.
This necessitates examining everything we do and why to see if all of our efforts are all pulling in the same direction. If a structure, practice, system, role or accountability is not intentionally linked to the fulfillment of your purpose, you are leaking energy and that contributes to decline. Simply ask your self the question, Why are we doing things this way?
We are beginning our fifth year at Unity Spiritual Center Spokane where we have been intentionally transitioning into a mission-centric ministry practice. We introduced the practice mission statement: Transforming Lives. Inspiring people to make a positive difference in our world. We told our congregation that after we retire they can change the mission statement if they wish. We told them that they first had to experience for themselves what mission fulfillment is… in other words, having their lives transformed and then being so inspired as to be called to make a positive difference in our world.
If you cannot measure the fulfillment of your ministry’s purpose, your mission is too nebulous or vague. At Unity Spiritual Center, we measure precisely how many lives have been transformed and the impact of people in our ministry in-turn, making a difference in our community and beyond.
Here is a short clip of introducing the “practice” mission statement to a new client: