Purpose Driven Organizations--Introduction

What drives your organization or church--mission, vision, or purpose? In the 20^th century, most companies sought to have a clear mission statement and a clear vision for the future. Peter Hawkins stated, “A mission captures the company’s ambition, a vision shows what it will be like when success is achieved.” Hawkins argues, however, that in the 21^st century, an organization’s purpose is more important. He defines purpose as “who the company serves and what is of value to them.” Having a purpose is much more service-oriented and altruistic.

Take, for example, two sporting goods companies. Adidas states that it “strives to be the global leader in the sporting goods industry with brands built on a passion for sports and a sporting lifestyle.” On the other hand, Nike proposes to “bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world (If you have a body, you’re an athlete.” The difference in outcome? Nike’s market capitalization in 2018 was $85 billion; Adidas’ was $16 billion.

The difference is that purpose is aspirational and belief-driven rather than concerned about the bottom line. It is people-oriented and applicable to all stakeholders. It is also simple, unique to the company, and long-term. Actually, the idea is not new but dates back to a Japanese manufacturer in the 1960s that declared that its reason for existence was “to make the world a better place.”

We see this aspirational, people-centric approach, and clarity in other companies’ purpose statements:

Disney--“We create happiness by providing the best in entertainment for all people of all ages everywhere.”
IKEA--“To create a better everyday life for the most people.”
BBC--“Inform, educate, and entertain.”

Have these companies achieved their purposes? Of course not, but they have a clear idea of where they are going, and they are oriented toward changing people’s lives.

How does this apply to church? Here are some statements that are tagged as mission statements, but I really think speak more to purpose:

“To connect the unconnected to Christ and together pursue full devotion to Him” – Central Christian Church
“To lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ” – Life. Church
“To become an equipping and mobilizing church that transforms our world for Jesus Christ” – East 91st Street Christian Center

These seem to fit the criteria of being aspirational, people-centric, and clear as well as belief oriented. Although they may not be achieved in our lifetimes, they capture our imaginations and engage us.

If we adopt this approach, how does it impact our strategy, leadership, and culture? I will address those topics in upcoming blogs.

ACTION ORIENTED

OUTWARDLY FOCUSED

Comments

Check these out

Confessions of a Recovering Southern Baptist

I am grateful for my heritage as a Southern Baptist. I was exposed to the Bible and worship from a very young age. I grew up in a church in south Alabama that supported the Cooperative Program of missions giving. This meant that our church had the benefit of being part of a supportive group of local churches and the educational opportunities that afforded. Our state convention provided varied and effective ministries with groups like orphans, ethnic groups, and college students. We supported missionaries at home and abroad. We had good Bible study and training literature (which we paid for, of course). I went to an accredited seminary and paid a remarkably low tuition. Wherever you went on a Sunday morning (in the Southeast and Southwest, at least), you could find a church that sang the familiar hymns and studied the same Bible lesson. In hindsight, I realize that this Southern Baptist utopia was imperfect. There were significant...

The Bible Tells Me So

As I read the story of the Good Samaritan during my devotional today, I was reminded of the times that I have heard the story in the Christian education setting of the local church--as a youngster in primary and intermediate classes (old terminology), as a young adult in college classes, and then as an adult, often teaching the passage myself. The characters and story line are very familiar due to these experiences of Christian education. These are challenging times for Christian education in the church. Like so much of what is happening in the church today, the old forms do not seem to support present needs. What once worked no longer seems to be effective. Christian education or the formation of believers is in a state of flux. In an article on ethicsdaily.com , retired professor Colin Harris addresses this issue. He points out that the period of the 60’s and 70’s “saw the beginnings of a loss of vitality within the educa...

Metaphors of the Kingdom of God

In a recent blog , consultant Seth Godin addresses the power of metaphor. He points out, “The best way to learn a complex idea is to find it living inside something else you already understand.” In other words, “this” is like “that.” “When you see a story, an example, a wonderment,” says Godin, “take a moment to look for the metaphor inside.” Jesus turned this around. In the use of parables, he told a story or provided a metaphor and challenged his hearers to see the truth within. For example, in his teaching on the Kingdom (or Reign) of God in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus compares the Kingdom to such things as a mustard seed, yeast, a hidden treasure, a net, a king, and a landowner. His hearers are encouraged to use their imaginations to understand something that they had never experienced. He also attempted to shift their perspective so that they might see signs of the Kingdom breaking into their present reality. These are metapho...

The Tragedy of Willow Creek Community Church

File photo of Steve Carter, Heather Larson, and Bill Hybels As Christian brothers and sisters, we need to pray for Willow Creek Community Church. On the eve of the Global Leadership Summit, a worldwide conference sponsored by the church in cooperation with the Willow Creek Association, church leadership imploded as a result of further allegations against former pastor Bill Hybels. Last year, Hybels introduced the team who would assume church leadership upon his retirement--lead pastor Heather Larson and teaching pastor Steve Carter. Although the founding pastor planned to stay on to assist in a time of transition, reports of sexual impropriety involving Hybels surfaced early this year. He accelerated his departure from the church and left the board of the Willow Creek Association. When other charges emerged last week, teaching pastor Carter resigned. On Wednesday evening, Larson and the entire elder board--lay leaders who provide accountability ...

A Future for the Global Leadership Summit?

Craig Groeschel, the founder and senior pastor of Life.Church. The Global Leadership Summit which began as a project of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, and its founding pastor, Bill Hybels, over 25 years ago was held this week without Hybels. For several years, the GLS has been now produced by the Willow Creek Association, a spin-off organization and a loose network of churches but Hybels has been its driving force. Attended by thousands at the church facility in South Barrington and broadcast to thousands more at satellite locations, the annual meeting brings together not only evangelical leaders but outstanding speakers from business, charitable organizations, politics, and business. For the first time, Hybels did not appear due to allegations of sexual impropriety brought against him over the past year by former employees, staff members, and business associates. He has already left the church and resigned from the board of t...

Barnabas File

Search This Blog