“Connecting People to Life in Jesus” is our Mission Statement at the Church.
It’s our Mission, our purpose, the answer to “What are we doing?”
Our Vision Frame has 4 sides, as most picture frames do, and the picture in the middle is where we are going, our Vision. Those four sides are Mission, Values, Strategy, and Life Marks (Measures).
Our Values are the reasons “Why?” we are Connecting People to Life in Jesus.
Our Strategy is “How?” we are Connecting People to Life in Jesus.
And our Life Marks help us to measure “When?” we are Connecting People to Life in Jesus.
At a very basic level, then, our Vision is a future where people are connected to life in Jesus.
I’ve heard people question our values, not want to participate in parts of our strategy, even wonder about the vision. But I can’t remember hearing anyone question our Mission Statement.
Connecting People to Life in Jesus
It’s so basic, so fundamental. And it’s hard to argue with Jesus’ commands.
“18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
We all seem to be able to agree on this. But are we doing it?
Our current sermon series is titled “Intentionally.” In it we’re exploring how Paul and others Intentionally acted, based on the mission, and God’s sending and leading. There’s a lot we can learn as we see the decisions they make, the ones they wait for, and what they do while they are waiting.
How are you Intentionally Connecting People to Life in Jesus? This isn’t the mission just of our corporate church, as if it’s up to the staff and the board and the rest are just along for the ride. It’s the mission of each of us. Each of us has been commanded to make disciples. It is the mission of each of us to Connect People to Life in Jesus. So, how are YOU Intentionally doing it?
This isn’t finger pointing. I want us to take a couple of minutes to think about our answers. If your mission is to make disciples, to Connect People to Life in Jesus, how are you intentionally doing it?
Another way to get at this is to ask yourself what you are connecting people to? We connect people to other people and things all the time.
When we talk about the latest Netflix show we’ve watched or the latest podcast we’ve listened to
When we invite people to read a book
When we have people over for dinner or to try a new drink
When we introduce friends to each other
We almost can’t help but connect people to the things we’re intentionally connecting to.
So when it comes to Intentionally Connecting People to Life in Jesus, an easy place to start is by being intentional about our own Life in Jesus. He is the one who has connected us, and He invites us to continue connecting with Him in many ways. What habit of connecting with Jesus would you like to see in your own life, or in your family? Pick one thing that takes less than 5 minutes, and commit to doing it every day until Thanksgiving.
Be intentional about your connection to Life in Jesus, and then, share with other people your joy, what’s fun, interesting, what you’re learning, how it makes you feel.
We’re going to continue a review of our Vision Frame in upcoming Spiel articles. The whole Vision Frame simply helps us be intentional about the Mission God has us on. It’s all about living and connecting people to life in Jesus as we live life together.
Check out the whole Vision Frame at www.livelifetogether.com/who-we-are
If you would be willing to share with me what your 5-minute practice is, and how it goes and/or if you have any questions, email me at [email protected]
