Turning Point

Many of the successful people and organizations in our world today have created and followed a mission statement. Mission statements say many things: who we are, what we believe, and what we want to accomplish. They become tracks to run on, roads to travel on, and destinations to reach. We hear the most about mission statements in the corporate world. Businesses, governmental agencies, and even churches take the time to define what they do, who they serve, and what makes them unique. The mission statement of Turning Point is: Delivering the unchanging Word of God to an ever-changing world. It clearly states the purpose and priorities of our ministry outreach.

            But shouldn’t we, as individuals, be able to verbalize our personal spiritual mission in life as well? Shouldn’t we ask ourselves, “What is my God-given mission in life?” and “How am I doing at fulfilling that mission?” I definitely think we should. But we can’t answer the second question without knowing the answer to the first.

            Is there biblical precedent for this? I believe there is.

            •Moses’ mission statement was given to him by God: “Go to Egypt and bring up the children of Israel to the land of Canaan that I have given them as a homeland forever” (paraphrase of Exodus 3:16-17).

            •Solomon’s mission statement was given to him by his father, David: “Follow the commands of God, possess the land, and build a temple for God in Jerusalem” (paraphrase of 1 Chronicles 28:8-12).

            •John the Baptist’s mission statement was given to John’s father by the angel Gabriel: “John will be set aside unto the Lord. He will call many Jews back to the Lord. He will go before the Lord in the spirit of Elijah to make the people of Israel ready to receive their Lord” (paraphrased from Luke 1:14-17).

            •Jesus Christ: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

            •The apostle Paul’s mission statement came from Christ: “I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (paraphrase of Acts 26:17-18).

            What I like about these statements are their specificity. Each one was unique—a personal mission statement. Here’s another way to think about it: The Great Commission of Christ is a corporate mission statement given to the Church as a whole (Matthew 28:19-20). The Church’s mission is to make disciples in all the nations. But what is your personal part in that mission?

Writing Your Mission Statement of Faith

            What is a Mission Statement of Faith? It is a specific statement that applies to you and what you believe God has called you to do. As you write your personal Mission Statement of Faith, consider the five steps below[1]: [BD1] 

            1. Identify past successes. How has God used you in the past? What have you enjoyed the most and been most fruitful in?

            2. Identify core values. Brainstorm the values that most define who you are.

            3. Identify contributions. What are you equipped to do? What skills, resources, talents, and passions do you possess?

            4. Identify goals. If you could do anything for the cause of Christ in this world, what would you do?

            5. Write your mission statement. Recognize that no other Christian is like you. Remember that your days were written in God’s Book before you were born (Psalm 139:16). He has a unique plan for your life.

God has a plan, a job, a calling for each of us to fulfill. The longer we walk with Christ, the better we will develop our personal mission for Him. As you work through the five steps outlined above, pray and ask God for His wisdom. And then, merge your life with your mission.

            Begin fulfilling your personal mission for God today!

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Dr. Jeremiah is the founder and host of Turning Point for God and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. For more information on Turning Point, go to www.DavidJeremiah.org.