congregational development@diocal::

what's your purpose?

Read this great article Rick Luoni has written about the how knowing your purpose will make your congregational ministry more successful.

John F. Kennedy said, “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” He was right, and as a Church we must remember his sentiments.
All too often I have found well-intentioned, hard-working people striving to make a difference in the world, but doing so with little or no purpose. How are things in your parish?

One thing I strongly suggest to clients is to define and know one’s purpose. Your purpose is why you exist. Your purpose is your work. Jesus knew his purpose; as his followers we should too.

Sounds simple doesn’t it? A couple of years ago I met with a pastor who declared that his congregation was struggling and that, while everyone was working really hard, they seemed to be stagnant. I asked him a simple question; “Do you and the church leadership know you core purpose for existing?” I explained that-- every decision, purchase, and sermon -- should in some way reflect or serve the core purpose. It keeps people focused, on track, and eases decision the making process.

I told him there was a distinct possibility that if asked each vestry member would give a different answer concerning his church’s purpose. He assured me everyone was “on the same page” and invited me to their next meeting. Needless to say, not only did every member not know the parish’s stated purpose that appeared on their literature, but also every member had a different idea as to why they existed. No wonder they were frustrated and confused-- everyone in leadership had a different view as to why the church existed!

I suggested that the vestry spend a portion of each meeting for the next several months examining their purpose and attempting to define why they existed. Members were encouraged to begin this process with prayer and to search scriptures for direction and to seek God’s leading throughout the entire process. In other words ask, “What does God want?”

After a few meetings something began to happen, a shift in thinking took place. Members became less inclined to seek their own interest and became more open to seeking what God was leading the church to do. Within a few months the church, while not perfect, had a better understanding about why they existed which seemed to bring a new level of energy and enthusiasm to the life of the church. There was an obvious impact on the entire congregation.
Do you know your purpose, why you exist? Does your vestry? Just for fun start you next vestry meeting with a brief survey. Ask each member to define the core purpose of the parish. “What is the purpose of our existence and how can we integrate this purpose in everything we do.” You must ask the basic: who, what, where, when, and why questions. Who are we? Why do we exist? Who makes up our congregation? Who makes up our surrounding community? What are the needs of our congregation? What are the real needs of the community? Doing so allows your parish the opportunity to discern and explore what God is calling you to be and do. It will help you to do away with antiquated ideas and allow the congregation to be future-focused. This should be an ongoing, continuous way of life for the remainder of your church’s existence.

Without a clearly defined purpose that can be articulated and lived every person within the organization, organizations seldom live up to their potential and often waste a tremendous amount of energy, effort, money, and time scattered in numerous directions. This often leads to frustration, low morale, and burnout. Having a central, core purpose that can be clearly articulated by your congregation allows for you to better able transform your purpose into focused action that is lived by your church.

Posted by mbarlowe at October 23, 2003 03:30 PM