bits from bob....
Purpose, Mission, and Vision
by Robert J. Young
©, 2006, Robert J. Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]
A brother writes: .I have recently become very interested in the dynamics of small churches. I appreciate the materials you placed online. They are very helpful. Nevertheless, I am having a problem grasping the difference between mission and purpose. So, if you have the time I have a few questions.
- (1) Could God's mission of the local church be described as worship, evangelism, fellowship, ministry, and discipleship?
- (2) If the above assumption is correct, then would purpose be how we respond to each? In other words, one of God's missions for the local church is evangelism. Would gospel meetings or evangelistic small groups be considered one of a number of purposeful responses?
The questions raised by this brother focus on the distinction between purpose, mission, and vision. Let me share a portion of what I wrote in response.
Purpose is overarching. What is God's intent for the church? The ultimate definition of purpose is God. What was God's intention (purpose) in the church? We have helpful texts (e.g. Eph. 1:9-10, 3:1-13, etc.) A concordance study will add to this list of texts. Of course, human beings may also define a purpose for the church. Ideally, our intention is the same as and not different than God's intention.
Mission signifies sending. The mission is defined by the reason one is sent. This simple concept explains why for years we have thought of mission(s) as going overseas and sharing the gospel--that was why missionaries were sent. With contemporary discussions about the missional church, we are expanding our concept of why we are sent (to accomplish God's purpose for the world) and where we are sent (into the entire world-even next door). More recently, we have begun to think of the entire church as sent forth into the world. Such is
consistent with the Great Commission when it is applied to all Christians everywhere in every time.
Vision has come (in the corporate or business world) to be an expression of the ideal that would be reached if all could be accomplished as purposed or planned. Vision statements provide a definition of where we hope to go and what we will look like when we get there. Often vision statements are done in both brief and expanded formats.
With these three brief definitions in mind, allow me to respond to the questions raised by the reader.
- (1) Did God send his church forth to worship, evangelize, fellowship, minister/serve, disciple?
My initial response is that the things we do internally are not our mission but are natural activities. Is worship a part of the mission of the church, or is the church by nature a worshiping community? I would prefer the second, but such may be a quibbling about words. I would not argue with the concept that God's intention for his church is all of the above (and more).
- (2) If the above assumption is correct, then would purpose be how we respond to each? In other words, one of God's missions for the local church is evangelism. Would gospel meetings or evangelistic small groups be considered one of a number of purposeful responses?
You probably already have picked up on the fact that this is not how I envision this process. God has an eternal purpose--his purpose in the church is designed to move toward that eternal purpose. Since God defines the purpose of the church, biblically and ideally the church has no other purpose(s), but in fact, because we are human, there are churches which have identified purposes only remotely connected (if at all) to God's purpose for the church. The church fulfills and accurately reflects part of the purpose of God for the church when it lives up to its calling and does by nature the things God has built into the nature of the church. The church also fulfills the purpose of God by accepting the mission to which God has commissioned it. What I am claiming corporately is also true individually. God has sent us forth on a mission--serving, reflecting Him, proclaiming him, making him known, nurturing faith wherever we find it,
encouraging, etc. etc. etc. Different people might put different descriptors in this list. God has not always told us how to accomplish the mission--thus gospel meetings or evangelistic small groups would be methods in the mission.
These do not (in my view) properly belong in the vision statement. The church will be this or become this--that is vision. Then the expanded version might include "by proclaiming through gospel meetings or by using evangelistic small groups." The methods are not sacred--one of our problems. They are supports for the mission. They could also be supports for what we are by nature--gospel meetings might solidify the faith of Christians and help them grow into the image of Christ. Evangelistic small groups might help Christians become what God intends us to be naturally, involved in sharing life, discussing, nurturing, discipling, etc.
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Last updated November 7, 2006