Question:

Vital Statements

I would love to hear a collection of statements from various pastors. What are the concise statements they have which communicate the vision and purpose of their churches? These would include vision statements, mission statements, listings of core values, etc. I would even like to know the slogans and mottos that churches use. In addition to statements that speak to the entire congregation, I would also like to see any statements or concise lists that churches have just for their leaders or staff, such as lists of expectations, priorities, key principles, etc.

Responses:

Pastor Alan Clayton – Conroe, TX

The Nine
Defining Values of The Ark Church

Introduction: Defining Values 

• Values Provide Clarification
  • Who we are and are not
  • Expectations
  • Direction for the future
• Values become a shaping force and a measuring stick
  • What we live out
  • What we want to see progress

1. Come as You Are

Committed to reaching people in all walks of life and spiritual conditions.

John 3:17 ESV
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

2. Willing to Change

In order to grow, improve and bear fruit.

James 4:6 ESV
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

3. Here to Bless

Stretching out our hands to improve our church, community and world.

Acts 20:35 ESV
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

4. Do Your Part

In God’s Kingdom, everyone has an active part to play.

1 Peter 4:10 ESV
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

5. Bring Your Best

Excellence honors God and inspires people.

2 Chronicles 31:21 ESV
And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.

6. Create Great Environments

Appealing, engaging and helpful experiences.

Matthew 25:20-21 ESV
And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more. ‘His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

7. God’s Word First

The Bible is our first and last word.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

8. Spirit Led

Depending on the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Acts 9:31 ESV
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

9. More Like Jesus

Our ultimate goal.

1 John 2:6 ESV
Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Blowing A Clear Trumphet
(Expectations/Clarity For Staff)

1 Cor. 14:8 (ESV) And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?

1. Always remember this is more than a job—it’s a ministry.
   1. His church
   2. His people
   3. His glory
   4. What we do has ETERNAL

2. Attend at least one service per week.
   1. No unchurched staff.

3. Tithe
   1. Our salary, benefits and bonuses are paid because people are faithfully give tithes and offerings
   2. The grace window is closing.

4. Give your time here the Triple E Treatment.
   1. Do things with Excellence (i.e. call back quickly, follow up, follow through, look to improve
   2. Do things with Enthusiasm—“Can do” attitude highly valued. Put a spark in your work.
   3. Do things as an Example. Can someone follow you? Watch your public life/ facebook. (Rom. 14:13-21; 1 Cor. 10:23-33) (one example: there are people we minister to who struggle with addictions—alcohol/drugs—No drinking in public in our area—could cause someone to stumble)

5. Embrace the reality that coaching, feedback and accountability are vital parts of our culture.
   1. Evaluation will be made
   2. Uncomfortable—a part of growth
   3. Objective is not to embarrass, but to help

6. Wherever you are be there
   1. On time
   2. Focused on what is at hand—not texting/emailing/facebooking

7. Resolve problems/challenges – do not complain about them. Everyone rides this bus—no one deserves being tossed under it. If you have a problem with someone:
   1. Go to that person / take someone if it will help
   2. Go to a dept head
   3. I am last resort—no one should be surprised

8. Add to the environment
   1. Maintain a grateful spirit
   2. Treat others the way you would like to be treated
      1. respect, mercy, in a gracious way
   3. Keep your words positive
      1. Bring some faith with you
      2. Lying and backbiting will get you terminated

Pastor Bernie Samples – Barstow, CA
Our Mission Statement is:
“We’re a family church equipping God’s people for victorious Christian living.”

Our corporate prayer is:
“Thank You Father for sending us people that are hungry for Your Word, loyal and faithful, tithers and givers, and willing to be used by you in our church for what You have gifted and called them to do.”

Pastor Larry Phalen – Dickinson, ND
Our mission statement is, “Revealing a Friend.”

Pastor Thom Fields – Kennewick, WA
“Together, We Are Better.”
We do whatever we can to make this statement stand out in the hearts and minds of all of our members.

“Every Member is a Minister.”
We NEVER allow anyone to refer to our team members as “volunteers.” Nobody is volunteering – they’re ALL MINISTERING.

“We’re On Our Way to Change the World.”

And my personal life mission:
“Living a Life that Humiliates Hell!”

Pastor Dave Rogers – Waterville, ME
Our mission statement:  Share Christ, Train Disciples, Teach Faith, Demonstrate the Spirit

Pray FOR our governmental leaders not AT them.

The blessings of the prodigal son didn’t return when he realized, in the pigpen, that he had sinned. They didn’t return while he was returning home. Neither did they return when he saw his father waiting with outstretched arms. The prodigal’s blessing returned when he repented and submitted to his father’s will.

Pastor Josh Payne – Troy, PA
Great question for the month. I know for me, Vision was something I always had, but finding a way to effectively and simple communicate it in one concise statement took years to develop. Hope some of these help resonate with others’ vision and help them articulate theirs sooner so they can clearly communicate it with the people.

• Reaching The World With the Life Changing Gospel of Jesus Christ Through the Power of the Holy Spirit!

• We Are Ambassadors of God, Called to Carry on the MISSION, MESSAGE & MINISTRY of Reconciliation Jesus Christ Began. (2 Cor 5:17-21 NLT )

• Life Is Better Together!

• Let’s Do Life Together

• Building the Kingdom Of God One Life at a Time

• All Our Ministries are Here to Help You L.I.V.E. (Live In Victory Everyday)

• Three Areas all Activity at Victory centers around:
  1. Knowing
  2. Growing
  3. Going

• Real Life. Real Issues. Real Answers.
  Real Issues. Real Answers. Real Victory!
  People Just Like You, Living Real Lives, Facing Real Issues…& Finding Real Answers

• Personal. Powerful. Practical.

• Real. Relational. Relevant

• Your Life. Your Church. Your Family.

• The Answer for the Ordinary Life
  The Answer to A Terminal Life
  The Alternative to Ordinary Life
  Anything But Ordinary!
  Nothing Ordinary About It!

• The Best 90 Min Your Week
  Maybe the Most Important 90 Minutes of Your Life.

• Victory, It’s a Way of Life!

• We are Here for You

• Making a Difference!

• We are Here to Be a Reflection of Christ to Our Communities as We Build His Kingdom by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

• Live Victoriously!

• Changing the World, One Life at a Time!

• Making a Big Difference in Little Ways!

Pastor John Grunewald – Bonn, Germany

A simple saying we use to remember what we are supposed to do, and the process also, is: Save the Lost, Establish the Saved, Train the Established and Position the Trained

Save, Establish, Train, Position

We believe this takes in The Great Commission and Discipleship Process introduced in Eph. 4:11-18. Of all the things we have ever written for Mission Statements etc., this has always been the easier to remember.

Pastor Doug Foutty – Parkersburg, WV
Believing is Seeing – that is one that my wife, Laura, uses. If you believe and stand in faith, you get to SEE the manifestation.

Pastor Guinn Shingleton – Terre Haute, IN
On the front of our weekly bulletin we always put:

• Christ-centered
• Word-based
• Spirit-filled

It’s a concise way of saying who we are.

Pastor Kevin Berry – Lansing, MI
What a great series of questions. I think all too often the “main thing” that a church is called to do can easily get buried beneath a series of long vision statements, mission statements, purpose statements and core values. While all of those are important, I would encourage you to work hard to keep the main thing the main thing.

1. What are the concise statements that have communicated the vision and purpose of the church? Our mission is to make disciples that are healthy, growing, and full of love!

• It’s not enough for us to make disciples; we want to know what that disciple is going to look like. We want them to be healthy—their thoughts to be healthy, spirit man healthy, their words, marriage, family, relationships and physical body to be healthy. And we want them growing! Acts 16:5 says that with every day the believers were being strengthened in their faith… they were growing! And we want them to have an encounter with Kingdom love that will ruin them for the ordinary. If this is the kind of disciples we are making then we have disciples that make disciples that make disciples.
• Purpose of the church—worship, Evangelism, and Building the Saints.

2. Core Values — We believe that…

• Without prayer all of our labor is in vain; with God all things are possible. (Ps. 127:1)
• Believers are meant to walk in an intimate, loving relationship with our Heavenly Father and with each other (Mark 12:30-31, 1 John 3:1)—loving God and loving you.
• If we build the people, God will build the church. (Eph. 4:12, 16)
• Healthy relationships are a catalyst for spiritual growth and transformation. (Acts 2:42; Pr. 27:17)
• Lost people matter to God and to us. (Luke 6:31-32; Matt. 28:19)
• Believers are meant to walk in supernatural power. (Mark 16:17; 20; Acts 1:8)
• Every member is a minister. Each member of the body is responsible to help the others grow. (1 Cor. 12:7, 27; Eph. 4:16)
• Excellence and going the extra mile both honors God and inspires others. (Matt. 5:41; 1 Kings 10:1-5)
• We are called to love God and to love people. (Mark 12:30-31)

3. Slogans and mottos

• Experience Hope
• The come as you are church
• The church with all the flags—that is what the community calls us because of all the flags at the main entrance of the church
• Journey of discipleship—begin, Belong, Become

4. Expectations, priorities, key principles

• Prerequisites to leadership: servant’s heart, teachable attitude, and a desire to draw closer to Jesus.
• Extra mile principle—the power of excellence.
• Best cared for, best fed, best protected flock in the world.
• Atmosphere of love and grace.
• 1,000x more.
• I.Q.—creativity, integrity, and quality in everything we do.
• S.K.—add members, school members, and keep members.
• Faith goals—they can cause you to accomplish 10 times more.
• Vision—“If you can see the invisible, you can accomplish the impossible.” – Dave Williams
• Acts 13:44.
• Speed, accuracy, and dependability as we serve our members.

Pastor Walker Schurz – Lusaka, Zambia
Mission Statement:  Sharing Christ . . . Maturing Believers . . . Changing the World

Our vision statement tells us what we see.

Our mission statement tells us what we do.

Our core values tell us how we do things and gives us our DNA.

Miracle Life Family Church Core Values

The values of MLFC are our guiding principles and core beliefs. They define standards by which we operate and live by.

1. We Value Biblical Authority and Instruction
We believe that the Bible is the inspired, unalterable, unchangeable Word of God. Therefore we will equip disciples with sound doctrine, always relying on the Bible as our first and final authority. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:2

2. We Value Excellence
As a church we believe that to show value for people is to perform and serve with excellence. Therefore we will serve with punctuality, quality, sharpness and accuracy. We also believe that excellence should be extended to an individual level, so as to set a standard and be an example of God’s kingdom to those around you. Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; 1 Corinthians 14:40

3. We Value Family
We believe that the nuclear family and the church family are the foundational pillars of a good society. We reflect God’s love and value for people by welcoming them and ministering to them at every level of their life. 1 Timothy 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Acts 2:44, 46-47

4. We Value Worship
As a church, we believe in New Testament worship, we also believe that worship is not only done in form of singing but also through our giving of tithes and offering, through prayer and through communion. For these reasons, we provide opportunities for members to take part in these activities as a family. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26

5. We Value Diversity
We believe that God sent His Son Jesus to die for each and every person in the world. Therefore, as an international church, we open our doors to people of all races, nationalities, age groups and social classes. Romans 10:12-13; Revelation 7:9

6. We Value Evangelism and Miracles
We believe that God has commissioned each one of us to bring the Good News to the lost. As a church we aspire to corporately win people to the faith in Christ. Therefore, we will pursue and strategically plan for opportunities to witness for Him. We also believe that God moves in the lives of people with the evidence of signs and wonders and that the Holy Spirit has empowered each one of us to believe, pray for people and have what we believe for. Mark 16:15-18

7. We Value Leadership and Team Development
We believe that God designed the church so that members are empowered contributors, each member using their gifts and talents for the work of the ministry. We aspire to deliberately coach, teach, train and mentor members to use their gifts in serving others. 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Corinthians 12:12

8. We Value Personal Responsibility and Service
We believe that your relationship with Jesus is personal and that God holds each one of us responsible for the part we play in our families, lives, jobs and ministry. We also believe that mature Christians bear the fruit of service. We are to serve as Jesus modeled service to us. As a church we aspire to have our members grow in Christ through teaching, so the fruits of their hearts make an impact on the lives of people around them. Matthew 25:14-30; Matthew 20:26b-28

Miracle Life Family Church Vision Statement

We see a blazing light coming from Lusaka, Zambia. This light is a church named Miracle Life Family Church. We have seen its future brightness with God. It is a future that must come to pass and will come to pass. And we invite you to see this bright future with us. This is what this church looks like.

We see a church where the Word of God reigns supreme. It grows and prevails against unbelief, culture, and worldly influence in the lives of people and creates Christ-formed lives. God’s word is taught clearly, believed deeply, lived purposefully and shared freely. As God’s word rises in the hearts of members, its influence is inescapable in the nation.

We see a church of thousands that is healthy, growing and full of love. Love for the broken and unchurched and love for one another. This church demonstrates the love of Jesus outside and inside its walls though acts of service and God’s transforming power. Teams of members share Jesus Christ boldly and clearly through a variety of activities so that our city knows God loves them and this love comes through Miracle Life Family Church.

We see a church that is radically intentional and effective to present each person mature in Christ. This church works with God’s power and grace to grow up ourselves and others into Christ-like followers who love, obey and produce inordinate amounts of fruit, bring glory to God. These believers reach their full potential in Christ as they take personal responsibility for their lives, families and nation. They steward what God has given them and pass it on to further generations.

We see a church where large numbers of children and youth are presented with the gospel in a manner that they can understand. This future generation develops a personal, tangible, profound relationship with God that gives them the confidence to transform their world. These children and youth are developed through the word and worship to take bold stands of faith and fulfill the great commission.

We see a church where believers are developed through a process into godly leaders who are mature in character, knowledge and skill. These leaders impact our church, city, nation and world. We see these leaders taking positions as teachers in schools, CEO’s of organization, fathers of families, presidents of countries, heads of international agencies and each of the these institutions transformed by godly practices and principles.

We see a church whose beautiful and green campus is a bustling hub of kingdom activity. It is a place where God’s mission and ministry are carried out by gifted and competent staff who faithfully use their leadership and spiritual gifts to equip others. We see a campus where people who have different languages, nationalities and walks of life come to worship, pray, serve and learn.

We see a church that sets a new Biblical standard on the African continent. A church that plans and executes with such excellence that it inspires other churches to reach new heights in delivering ministry. This church redefines what is “normal” when it comes to worship, serving God and serving others.

We see a Church whose head is Jesus, whose help is the Holy Spirit and whose focus is the Great Commission.

Pastor Duane Hanson – St. Paul, MN
Over the years we’ve accumulated a variety of “statements” that have defined the vision and purpose of the church. These statements are designed to speak directly to our community, and help us communicate the core values and mission statement to our congregation.

For us, it all starts with the name we chose for the church, and the identity we want to proclaim to our community. When we started out, we understood the Lord’s direction to pioneer the church “In The Heart of the Twin Cities,” and not follow the trend of moving to the suburbs. Our specific assignment was to teach The Word of Faith message in a very religious community which was dominated and characterized by every mainline denomination, and influenced over the past century by their traditions and doctrines of men, which Jesus said makes “the Word of God of non-effect” (Mark 7:13).

We chose the name Established Heart Community Church very purposefully, and intentionally, which reflects the core values of our faith community. We focused on a few specific scriptures that have become the foundation of both why and how we do church. The two primary passages are:

“…my heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord, my heart is established…” ~ Psalm 112:7-8

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” ~ Colossians 2:6-8

Certain words and phrases stand out in these passages and become the building blocks for the vision of the church, and help define the mission of the church. We try to incorporate the basic principles from these passages into everything we do, and rehearse them before the congregation whenever the opportunity arises!

We have condensed the basic principles from these scriptures into a simple slogan by using an acronym that can be recalled by anyone at any time: We call it Our H.E.A.R.T. for Ministry: “Helping, Equipping, Accepting, Reaching and Teaching people so that their hearts can be established in the life changing principles of God’s Word.” These five principles summarize the Mission Statement of our church. If a visitor asked someone from our ministry team about the core values of the church, I would hope that most of them could clearly share Our H.E.A.R.T. for Ministry.

We’ve also defined our Mission Statement based upon what we’ve called “The Focus Four.” These are four principles taken from Acts 2:4, which declares “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” We’ve defined these as four basic pillars that hold up the platform of anything involving the church. The stability of that platform is dependent upon making sure we are “continuing steadfastly” in all four principles described in Acts 2:42, and faithfully acting upon, and equally involved in each one.

Let’s face it, a church can be involved in so many different programs and outreach activities these days, but we need to know exactly what we should do, and what we should allow someone else to do! Fortunately, I learned early on how to say “Yes” or “No” to any number of ideas, plans and suggestions brought to me by others, and it was easy to respond because we had already outlined the four principles of our mission statement. We are to focus first on “doctrine” before anything else. We intentionally schedule times of “fellowship” within the church body which builds lasting relationships. We also purpose to “break bread” in the form of “communion” each week at the conclusion of our Wednesday night service. And last, but not least, we schedule specific times for “prayer” and encourage people to do so in their personal devotional time. We also apply the broader meaning of the term “koinonia” used in the original language of this passage, which implies a sense of “community,” both within the church, and reaching outside the church.

Through discipleship relationships we have continued to focus on developing the individual believers involved in our core group, and not become so focused on just building A church, but Establishing THE Church.

There are also certain key principles we share only with those involved in leadership and serving in the church. The primary concept comes from a teaching by a minister we brought into our church nearly 30 years ago to help us lay the foundation of the ministry. The principle he taught, which he published in a book entitled “Fit, Function & Flourish,” helped us impart the vision for growth and maturity in those early days.

In simple terms, many believers are not flourishing as they should because they haven’t found the right church, or the right place within the church, to fit and ultimately function as God has gifted and intended for them. We purpose to help people find where they can best fit and function in the church body, so that they can flourish in their God given gifts and calling. Ultimately, our goal is to create an environment where people have the opportunity to “grow” where they’ve been “planted” by the Lord! (Psalm 92:12-15)

Therefore, any statements, slogans, or mottos that we incorporate into the ministry, should help people discover their place in the Body of Christ where they can fit and function. This is a key principle for “making disciples” and seeing every member flourish as they become “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith!”

 

Pastor Bill Anzevino – Industry, PA
Here is Christian Assembly’s Vision that we post on the back of our bulletin each week:

We at Christian Assembly are dedicated to the purpose of providing Christ’s total Gospel for the total deliverance and total development of the total man.

Our vision is to provide a facility where God’s children can learn how to experience and enjoy the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ where they can grow spiritually and learn how to take their place in the Father’s family as a productive, fruit-bearing branch in the vine. Our objective is to get the lost saved, the saved established, the established trained, and the trained sent out.

Our prayer is that we all speak the same thing and there be NO DIVISION; but that we be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Pastor John Lowe – Warsaw, IN
“Love God, love people” sums it all up. Today though, due to “God” being a generic term, I say, “love Jesus, love people.”

Miracle in Motion.

Jesus loves you just as you are, but too much to leave you that way.

People over things. People are our purpose. People over projects. People!

Others !!!!!! A one word story about William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army.

Stand; when you have done everything you know how to do, stand (Ephesians 6:13).

Here is a list of our church core values: http://www.ihavenewlife.com/#/im-new/our-code

Pastor Jesse Zepeda – Pflugerville, TX

1. Vision – Teach Relationship with:

• God
• Church
• Family

2. Purpose

• New birth,
• Grow & mature believers into laborers

3. Values

• Biblical Judeo, Christian values

4. Motto

• “Where the Word of God will change your life”

5. Expectations

• Happy but not satisfied
• Expect more to do more
• We want to grow so others may know

6. Priorities

• God and His Church
• Bills
• Missions

7. Principals

• I follow Heb. 11:6 (Jesse’s Translation)
  “I AM God, I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want and it’s all good,  and I will do it for you!”

He is God and He is a rewarder!

Pastor Ray Almaguer – Covina, CA
Here is a list of vital statements we like to use here at Family Life Church:

• We exist to cause people to know Him, grow in Him, and show Him.
• Know, grow, show.
• The heartbeat of family life: We have a heart for the Lord, a heart for the Lost, a heart for Little Ones, and a heart for Leaders.
• Our purpose is in our name, Family Life Church: LIFE stands for Love, Instruction, Fellowship, and Evangelism.
• Teamwork makes the Dream Work
• Every member is a minister
• Character is more important than talent.
• In our kid’s church we say: Raising Our Kids to Love Jesus