This is also something of a paradox because I am, apparently, a visionary leader, or at least a big-picture guy. When I talk about the future of the church (universal or local) it’s not dull. Thank God. I mean we do have a Vision (Habakkuk 2:14) and we do have a mission (Mt 28:19-20) and I care passionately about both those things. I’m just not very good at turning those verses into statements that are somehow also not those actual verses.

Despite my statement reluctance, I have found it helpful and clarifying to get one sentence crystal clear in my mind. And now it is crystal clear, I am repeating it a lot. It may be that having said it, someone will say to me, ‘But that is a mission/vision statement’ and that may indeed be so. All well and good if I’ve hit two birds with one stone.

Now I’m not trying to create another category of statement here (in all honesty it’s probably closest to a mission statement) but the word that has been most helpful to me is purpose. I like the word ‘purpose’ because it neatly combines our reason for existing and our resolve to follow through on it. We act with purpose because we have a purpose.

Be that as it may, the sentence that has helped me clarify for my own sake and I hope for the church, is not new or original to me. I had no intention of being original, because originality is a two-edged sword for a church. Anyway here are our 10 words:

Grace Church exists to help people find and follow Jesus.

You could edit it down a little more if you like from ten to a six word command.

Help people find and follow Jesus

Or you could even be more direct and get it down to four.

Find and follow Jesus

But I like the six word one best.

HELP PEOPLE

Don’t demand of people. Don’t burden people. Don’t become an obstacle to people. Don’t get in their way. Don’t demonize people. Lots of don’ts.

Remember there is a person you’re dealing with. Someone created by God. Someone with value, worth, dignity. Someone God wants in His family. This person is not a number, not an object, not a target, not a customer, not a unit, not a means towards an end. Lots of nots.

Help them. Serve them, love them, encourage them, consider them. But to what end?

FIND AND FOLLOW

Some people need to find their way. They need pointing in the right direction, they need their eyes lifted up so they can see over the obstacles, they need encouragement to keep going and a dozen other things. Some people are looking for the way. So show them. Point it out, give them directions, answer their questions about the journey.

Some people need help to follow the way. Some are thinking of giving up, turning back, or turning to the right or left. Some are confused, some are doubting they have the strength or the right course. Help them follow the way.

We want to serve those that do not yet know Jesus and those that already do. Evangelize and encourage. Reach out and go deep.

JESUS

In the end, the person of Jesus is the inspiration of it all. Redeemer and Rabbi. Saviour and Seer. We must remember that Jesus transcends and transforms our culture, our moment, our politics, our sexualities, our weaknesses, our strengths, our hopes. All of it. Jesus transcends & transforms it all. Or at least that’s theory. Of course the more Jesus becomes a theological ideal abstracted from Scripture, then indeed he can become a scoundrel of many different shades and colours. Even a rainbow of them.

But the man in heaven anchored himself as a man on earth – an astonishing claim, that God stepped down. Immanuel.

He’s my purpose and my vision and we’re on his mission. Maybe I can do statements after all.

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