For That Matter Why Do Churches Need Mission Statements?*

I came across this the other day a a post on Verbum Veritatis (Word of Truth)....in Mahonyland (Thought of the day). As someone who has sat through his parish wasting money hiring a consultant to develop 1 of those things, & also having seen many other horrible examples, I loved it. (Note: I actually got up & challenged what was going on in my parish. It was at 1 of those meetings they like to have to make the parishoners feel they actually have a part in it, but really don't. Needless to say, what I said wasn't exactly welcome. As, I am sure, neither was what I had filled out on a questionaire they had sent out previously. But given that the consultant worked for a New Age Center that advertises itself as a convent, I wasn't surprized.)

The point is simple, Jesus did give us a mission statement, Matthew 28:19-20 aka The Great Commission: "Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you." Jesus did get it right, too many people just don't want to get it.

The reason it isn't too welcome in this day & age is simple. People don't want to admit they sin, let alone listen to or obey what God commanded. So we replace the true mission statement with a feel good warm fuzzie that doesn't challenge us to listen to, let alone live the Gospel.

Yes, there are a few exceptions. St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in East DBQ is 1. They have a statement that says: "St. Mary Parish is a Roman Catholic Church whose mission is that of Jesus Christ: the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls. This is accomplished by preaching the Gospel, conferring the Sacraments, and evangelizing our neighbors." (Of course, they have a solid orthodox Catholic Priest for a pastor.)

So, the next time you see a parish mission statement, check it out against the Great Commission. Is it a touchy-feely statement, or does it actually challenge you to live out the Gospel?

* Or: Your mission Mr. Phelps, should you decide to accept, is to put an end to touchy-feely warm fuzzies disguised as mission statements.

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Note for those of you who wonder why the picture of the baby being baptised is blury, I'll let Joe of St. Thérèse explain it: "It's blurry on purpose. The priest is holding a baby and baptizing her." The Great Commission is "what Jesus didn't get right the first time."