Every leader has faced that sense of aimlessness as if they’re working toward an ambiguous purpose. When the purpose of your ministry seems unclear, you may find yourself asking, “Why are we even here?”
And that’s why your church needs a purpose statement.
Many use the term purpose, mission, and vision interchangably, but at Church Fuel, we teach them uniquely.
Purpose is your never-changing, deep sense of why. Think “explore space.”
Mission is your next current, church-wide objective. Think “go to Mars.”
Vision is a preferred picture of the future. Think “everyone has a spirit of exploration.”
Read more about these distinctions here.
A purpose statement that grounds your sense of why can have a big effect, including…
- Getting your leadership team and staff on the same page
- Helping you mobilize your congregation toward a common goal
- Promote unity and understanding between individual ministries
When you’re working with your team to create or update your purpose statement, it helps to have examples on hand to inspire you. Here are twenty-two great purpose statements from churches around the world.
#1 – The Austin Stone
To love God, love the church, love the city, and love the nations.
#2 – NewSpring Church
NewSpring is a life-giving church, marked by the presence of God, activating us to impact others.
#3 – New Life Fellowship
Our vision is to see lives deeply transformed by Jesus for the sake of the world.
#4 – Church of the Highlands
We exist to help people know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference.
#5 – Vertical Church
The Vertical Church exists to see people who are far from God become the hands and feet of Jesus.
#6 – New Life Covenant Southeast
Be a life-changing ministry reflecting the Glory of God through Worship, Outreach, Discipleship and Servant-hood.
#7 – Vertical Church
Vertical Church exists to see people believe in Jesus Christ, belong to his multi-ethnic church and become disciple making disciples.
#8 – Shofar Church
To reach nations and generations through disciple-making, leadership development and church planting.
#9 – Discover Point Church
We want everyone to know God, to get connected, to discover their purpose and make an impact.
#10 – 3 Circle Church
To lead people to a growing relationship with Jesus: locally, regionally, and globally.
#11 – The Summit Church
Following the Holy Spirit, we exist to create a movement of disciple-making disciples, in RDU and around the world.
#12 – Cross Point Church
At Cross Point, we Help People Find and Follow Jesus. We are a church where Everyone’s Welcome, Nobody’s Perfect, and Anything’s Possible.
#13 – CityHope Church
We lead people to become fully alive in the true hope of Christ.
#14 – GraceLife London
We exist to glorify God, build up believers and love the lost in the heart of London.
#15 – Crossway Church
To deepen our relationships with God and each other, and participate in God’s transformation of our individual lives and of our community.
#16 – Ridgeline Church
To help people create and renew their relationship with God, while connecting them with their God-given purpose.
#17 – Coral Gables Baptist Church
Coral Gables Baptist Church exists to provide a Bible-based, Christ-centered place of worship, so that people will come to know Jesus Christ.
#18 – New Life Christian Centre International
To plant, build and strengthen churches and preach the Gospel in Brent, Britain and Beyond.
#19 – Eastside Christian Church
Transforming our homes, community and world by pursuing God, building community, and unleashing compassion one neighborhood at a time.
#20 – Ridge Church
Ridge Church exists to help people follow Jesus by helping them become fully engaged disciples of Jesus.
#21 – Northwood Church
To engage, empower, and equip you to be the Church.
#22 – Fresh Life Church
We exist to see those stranded in sin find life and liberty in Jesus Christ.
Do It Yourself
When you’re ready to craft your own vision or purpose statement, start by asking yourself and your team the following questions.
- What does God want to do through your church?
- Where do we want to be in one, three, five, and ten years down the road?
- Why do we exist in our community?
Take the Next Step
Our Building Your Ministry Plan course includes detailed, practical videos that walk you through how to create a purpose, mission, and vision statement for your church.
The course also guides you through what to put in each box of the Two-Page Plan®, shows you examples from other churches, and helps you use your plan in real-world ministry settings.