Go Ahead and Write a Personal Vision Statement

One of the most simple and effective tools you can use to present your ministry to anyone is having a personal vision statement.

THE ORGANIZATION HAS A VISION STATEMENT; WHY DO YOU NEED ONE?

Can you quickly, easily, and with passion describe your ministry vision to someone in a simple sentence? There are missionaries with great passion, leadership, motivation, and skill that cannot describe their heart for their mission field in less than a 20 minute presentation. This is not okay. 

What about that quick conversation after your worship service on Sunday? That sweet couple that had rowdy kids with a quick question could have been long time partners in your ministry, but they simply couldn’t listen to the entire explanation of all 8 points of your ministry goals. It’s time to bring it down to the bare bones!

You need to be able to tell someone your ministry vision in a phrase or a simple sentence. No, that won’t encompass all your passion or your typical daily living, but it will give potential partners confidence in what God has called this mission to accomplish and your ability to fulfill what you are promising.

Tom Ahern, a published author and fundraiser, defines a vision statement as, “[It's] not so much about what your [ministry] does. A vision [statement] is mostly about your promise, the promise you make to the world through your mission, your accomplishments and your plans.”

SO, HOW DO YOU CREATE A PERSONAL VISION STATEMENT?

If you don’t have a vision statement like this, you need to create one. How can you do that? The easiest way is to take a vision statement you like, and insert personalizing phrases.

For example, look at the vision statement of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ), “A caring community passionate about connecting people to Jesus Christ.” You can change that to be personal, “Creating a caring community at Vanderbilt University by connecting students to Jesus Christ.” There, a vision statement. This is not being lazy, but being willing to gain from someone who is smarter than you, and fully integrating into your sending organization.

Your vision statement can be a great opportunity for you to easily express to others what you and your ministry are all about. Give your current financial partners and your potential financial partners a promise to get behind, and you’re more likely to gain interest and endorsement for your ministry quickly and effectively.