“What I want to do is to develop a personal mission statement,” says Mark, a high school math teacher at an international Christian school in Korea. “I’m fairly clear on the problems/opportunities God is calling me to address. Having a mission statement will help me focus on these problems/opportunities.”
 
Question: What can you ask Mark?
 
Answer: Ask these 5 questions:

1. What 5 or more verbs reflect God’s calling for you? (As necessary, give examples. *See list below.)
2. What will you say when asked, “What’s your mission?”
3. What word best describes your God-given mission?
4. What 2-3 words describe your God-given mission?
5. What 1 sentence do you want said about you at your funeral?

Once Mark has reflected on these 5 questions, ask “What’s your God-given mission?” Give Mark time to think—he may need paper and pen to put down his thoughts. Once Mark has a draft, ask questions to help him refine his mission statement:

• How does this mission statement address the problems and opportunities you identified?
• How does this mission statement help you understand God’s calling?
• What do you mean by ____?
• How easy is this for you to say?
• How does this mission statement help you focus?

Empower your client to pursue God’s calling. Today.
 
*Sample verb list:
Advance
Build
Collaborate
Disciple
Educate
Empower
Encourage
Equip
Evangelize
Heal
Improve
Innovate
Lead
Mobilize
Network
Nurture
Organize
Plant
Raise
Serve
Transform
Unite