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	The Value of a Strong Mission Statement A mission has four points of impact on a local congregation: It serves as a compass to keep things going in the right direction It is a change agent that brings about modified behavior It motivates the congregation to keep on changing It serves as a mirror to help congregations count the cost of both changing and not changing. A mission statement is a helpful instrument to: Measure progress -- It serves as a standard to evaluate ministries. Weigh decisions -- Is this in alignment or of importance to our vision? Manage conflict -- A shared vision gives direction to ministry which reduces conflict. A Mission Statement Example: Inviting all to grow in Christ. This excellent mission statement contains four concepts in six words! They are: inviting, inviting all, inviting all to grow, and inviting all to grow in Christ! It is easy to remember, and meets all the criteria for a mission statement. A helpful resource for leaders and congregations in developing a mission/vision statement is the book Our Mission: Discovering God's Call to Us. The book is a part of the Congregational Leadership Series of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Augsburg Fortress Publishers. top of page