Vital 3.0 Mission Statement Development WELCOME

Steps to Developing a Mission Statement 1. Possess a foundational understanding of the mission of the Church and youth ministry. 2. Discuss and reflect on the parish mission. (To contextualize the youth ministry mission.) 3. Brainstorm broad ideas on mission audience, objectives, values, implementations. 4. Consolidate broad ideas into priorities and themes. 5. Write a 15 to 25 word mission statement. 6. Test and ratify the statement 7. Champion the mission.

A Great Mission Statement 15 to 25 word statement that describes what you feel God is leading you to accomplish. Succinct, but descriptive and inspirational. Includes audience, objective, and values. The process is as important as the product. Produced through a team effort. Must go beyond a written statement to a lived experience of the ministry.

Reflection & Discussion of the Parish Mission Statement The youth ministry mission should be situated within the parish mission. What in the parish mission motivates or inspires you? What content or words speak to you? How would you summarize the parish mission? In what ways does the parish mission statement capture the personality, character, or culture of the parish? Some questions for reflection & discussion

Brainstorming Rules Everyone has equal status & should participate. Focus on quantity. There are no bad ideas. No evaluating or criticizing ideas. Build off each other’s ideas (launch from, blend, expand). (Record everything on a flip chart pad and post the sheets on the walls)

Brainstorming Questions Ages (senior high, junior high, children, adults) Parents (of adolescents) Family Parish members Larger community Ethnic, racial, gender, economic groups Teen sub cultures (at-risk, unchurched, etc.) Who is our audience or focus of our mission?

Brainstorming Questions Why do we exist? What is our purpose? What is our aim? What do we want for our young people? What do you want to see a young person look like as a result of being involved? What is our goal? What are we trying to achieve?

Brainstorming Questions What attitudes will accompany our mission? How will we conduct ourselves within the ministry? What are guiding principles that we will function by and model? What virtues will be a part of our modus operandi? What are important values that will guide our mission?

Brainstorming Questions What do we need to be (as leaders, as parents, as a parish) to achieve our mission? What will we do to accomplish our goal? How will we accomplish our mission?

Consolidate Brainstorming into key themes and priorities Identify broad themes mentioned in different ways (for example, community, discipleship, etc.) Narrow down your key audiences, objectives, values, and themes. Leave the chaff. One page of manageable themes should remain.

Compose a 15 to 25 Word Mission Statement Post your flip chart sheets on the walls with the broad themes closest. Begin with prayer, seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Go back to prayer when stuck. Begin with “to…” There is no need to add words such as, “We the parish community of St. John the Evangelist.” Discuss, debate and discern each word. Work and re-work the statement until you are of one mind and you believe it reflects the will of the Holy Spirit.

How do you know when it’s complete? It captures your purpose. You are inspired and motivated by it It’s easy to memorize. It’s transferable to others (won’t take a lot of explaining) It reflects the mission of the church and your parish. It reads well (flows, poetic, meaningful words) You feel it reflects the will of God for your community and you feel peace. Your pastor or other designated parish leaderships confirms or ratifies it.

Championing Your Mission Statement Memorize it! Make it into a prayer (pray it at every meeting) Place it at the top of all youth ministry documents. Reflect on the mission during your team meetings. Make a banner with the mission Develop a logo that communicates the mission. Write a series of articles on the mission for the parish bulletin or newsletter.