Creating Your Mission Statement

The first step is to brainstorm.  If you are married, try to go away for the evening or weekend or maybe just get some time away on a date that you can focus on this. If you are not married, maybe the next time you have a babysitter or have put the kids to bed, you can get some alone time.

Start out by asking yourself what a 25^th family reunion might look like in your family? What do you want it to look like? What might others be saying about your family or about each other? Now imagine if you were talking to God. What would He say to you about your family? Be as honest as you can.

As ideas start to flood your mind, write them down. Some examples might be, generous, strong, full of integrity, family centered etc. Write down dreams for your family, beliefs, traits and characteristics that are present and that you would like to see present. An example might include, “We are very hospitable, we love entertaining.” Also, write down things you don’t like, such as, “We don’t like the world’s influence on our family.”

Thanks to Family-iD, here are some thought provoking questions to get your thinking powers juiced up.

1. What is our family’s purpose?
2. If our family was perfect, how would it look?
3. What character traits do we want to see our children develop?
4. What description would we want others to give about us?
5. What are our talents and passions as a family?
6. What are our deepest held beliefs?
7. How would we like our family and guests to feel when they come into our home?

You don’t have to answer all of these, just use them to get the general picture of what you want your family to look like. Now, condense these thoughts down to several phrases. Choose the ones that are the most important values and will best direct your family in God’s vision for you. Choose 4 or 5 key phrases. Don’t worry about making a paragraph or even complete sentences at this point.

Use your 100 family values to help define these statements.

Examples of family values might be: honesty, hard working, expect excellence

Once you have these statements decided on and they best sum up your life’s mission, begin to write it out.

Remember, you want this short enough to memorize and pass down to your children and grandchildren. However, you want it to be thorough enough to communicate your full mission.

I would love to see your mission statement when you have it completed. Email me and let me know! I may even use it as an example if you allow me.

NEXT UP: CREATE YOUR VISION STATEMENT