As salesman and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” A mission statement empowers your business, ministry, or nonprofit organization to hit the bullseye and reach its full potential. Not only that, but a Christian mission statement helps you stay aligned with your unique calling and assignment. Your business is not meant to look like someone else’s. It has an individual purpose in the community you serve and the Kingdom of God. 

In reference to The Body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:18 says, “But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.” Creating a Christian mission statement is a tool to help your entity remain on track with God’s will for your work.

Many people confuse mission statements and vision statements. They are not the same thing, though they are quite useless without one another. 

What is a Vision Statement?

A vision statement identifies what a company would like to achieve or accomplish. This is the why behind your organization’s existence. What makes you want to go to work everyday?

What is a Mission Statement?

A mission explains how you will achieve your vision statement at a high level. This is where you practically describe how you will approach your organization to bring the results your vision requires.

How to Create a Christian Mission Statement and Vision

Statement

Habbakuk 2:2 describes elements of a vision and mission statement. It reads: “and the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” 

Start with the vision statement, as your mission statement will clarify the activities necessary to accomplish it. Before you begin, pray and get revelation on God’s bigger vision for your business. Don’t rush this part of the process.

Ask yourself:

• What are you passionate about in business and/or ministry?
• What do you see on the inside when you ask God to show you your purpose?

Start with a big why, then make it concise. A key part of Habakkuk 2:2 is to “make it plain.” Everyone in your organization should be able to keep the vision statement top of mind and recite it easily. For example, WealthBuilders’ Vision Statement is “WealthBuilders exists to educate and empower the Body of Christ to reach true financial freedom that transforms generations, neighborhoods, and nations.”

Mission:

Remember, your mission statement is more actionable than your vision statement. At WealthBuilders, ours is Making Sense of Making Money for Making a Difference. In other words, everything we do should educate people on how to make money that blesses others. 

Like Habbakuk 2:2 says, your mission statement should be plain and instructive enough that “He may run who readeth it.”

To start writing yours, do the following:

1. Revisit your purpose.

• What has God called you and your ministry and/or business to do?

2. Consider why your organization does what it does.

• What is God showing you to “go for” and achieve?
• What are the problems that you want to solve?

3. State how your organization accomplishes its goals.

• What are your ministry or business goals, and what would it take to make that happen? (tie it back to a measurable benchmark)

Make sure that you write your mission statement with a long-term perspective. Do your best to make it relevant to where your company is going, not just where it is currently.

Christian Mission Statement Examples:

Now that we’ve unpacked what a mission statement is, it’s helpful to look at a few examples of it in action. Here are ten Christian mission statement examples that are written exceptionally well:

Hobby Lobby: “Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with biblical principles.”

Chick-fil-A: “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A.”

Thomas Nelson Publishers: “To inspire the world by meeting the needs of people with content that promotes biblical principles and honors Jesus Christ.”

The Salvation Army: “Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”

Christianbook: “To equip the church to know, love, and serve God.”

Tyndale House Publishers: “Minister to the spiritual needs of people, primarily through literature consistent with biblical principles.”

Compassion International: “Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.”

Grace & Grains: “To provide a welcoming environment where people can enjoy delicious, nourishing food while experiencing the grace and love of God through our hospitality and service.”

Zondervan: “To be the leading provider of Christian communications that glorify Jesus Christ and inspire the world to know and love Him.”

Abide: “To create technology that helps people experience the peace of Christ through prayer and meditation on Scripture.”

Do you want to learn more about how to take your business or nonprofit to the next level? Then register for WealthBuilders Business & Nonprofit Bootcamp, a free, 5-day intensive training to help you create a practical, ready to implement business plan. You will learn how to connect your organizational vision to Kingdom purpose at a higher level. Click here to register.