Six Steps to Create a Compelling Mission Statement for Your Group
Every group, whether it’s a ministry team, church, or organization needs a mission. Why are we here? A sense of mission binds people together and helps them be more intentional and strategic in their use of group resources.
The following is a proven method for helping groups create a dynamic mission statement in 30 minutes or less (the method works best with 3-12 participants, although you can modify it for larger groups):
Step #1 – Describe the current group
Have group members brainstorm on their own three to five adjectives that currently describe the group and write them on separate post-it notes. For example, as I think about ACTS Seminaries where I teach, three adjectives that come to mind are practical, personal and collaborative. This time of individual reflection is important. As group members contribute their personal perceptions to the process, they are much more likely to own the product (i.e. the mission statement) at the end.
Step #2 – Categorize adjectives describing the current group
Working together, group the adjectives into categories. For example, someone in my group describing ACTS Seminaries may have used the word “applied,” which we could place in the same category as my contribution of “practical.” Even as you categorize adjectives, don’t minimize the importance of isolated adjectives. The outliers may have an important role to play later on.
Step #3 – Describe a dream version of the group
Have individual group members think about what they would love their group to be like in five years. Invite them to write down three to five adjectives on post-it notes that describe this dream group. As I think about my seminary, I would love it to be innovative, responsive and context-based. Once again, this is a solo exercise (like step #1), which helps everyone express their voice in a meaningful way.
Step #4 – Categorize the adjectives describing the dream group
Group the new post-it notes into categories. Some may fit into the categories from step #2 while others may lead to the creation of new categories. If an adjective does not seem to fit with any of the other descriptions, allow it to stand by itself as its own category.
Step #5 – Create a mission statement