Mission Statements and the WIP Wednesday Link-Up

Our pastor is taking our church through a sermon series called DNA. We have been going over the basics of what our church believes and does. He walked us through the mission statement and core values. It’s been reaffirming that we are where God wants us to be–in a church that believes and emphasizes the things we value. I recently wrote a mission statement for New Life Steward which you can read on the About page. I also read a post recently about mission statements. Mission statements were everywhere, which caused me to reflect on my own. I wrote it my freshman year of college after reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and revisited it my final year of seminary as I prepared my portfolio:

The ultimate purpose of my life is to give God glory in everything.
I want him to be honored in the day to day of my routine as well as in the big life choices I make. I want to follow the path that He has created for me, that which is best and not just good. I want to be so utterly satisfied in my relationship with Him that His glory radiates from my life and anyone who looks in on my life sees only Him. I want to only be an arrow pointing others towards His saving grace and love. I want to know His Word more deeply and apply it to my life. I want to use my talents and gifts to serve my Lord as well as His body–the church–and non-believers. I want to honor Him in my relationship with my family. I want to love all members of my family as He does.

Even though it was written nearly 10 years ago, that pretty well sums up my heart’s desire. I would only tell that 18 year old girl that it’s only by God’s grace and strength that you will do or be any of those things. (She tried really hard to do it on her own–still does sometimes.)

When we dedicated our family to the Lord earlier this year, our church leaders encouraged us to choose a life verse for our son. One that we will pray over him as he grows. For some reason, I really felt led to choose a verse about wisdom and discipline. The Lord led us to Proverbs 19:20-21:

“Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
That you may be wise the rest of your days.
Many plans are in a man’s heart,
But the counsel of the Lord will stand.”

During the process of choosing a life verse for Thomas, I also stumbled upon 5 Little Virtues at Impress Your Kids. Amanda suggests choosing 5 virtues you want your child to exhibit as an adult and then using those virtues to shape how you parent your child. These are the 5 we chose for Thomas:

Courageous (Deut. 31:6)
Integrity (Prov. 10:9)
Humble (Phil. 2:3-4)
Compassionate (Eph. 4:32)
Good Steward (Matt. 25:14-30)

I hope to have Thomas’ life verse and these virtuesmade into a print of some sort to hang in his room some day soon. I need them to be in view to help retrain my focus on them as we parent. I also think they will inevitably be remembered by him if he sees them on his wall all his growing up years.While choosing a life verse and virtues for Thomas, Michael and I chose Matthew 22:36-40 to be our family’s life verse if you will. We want the Greatest Commandment to be what guides all of the decisions for our family. Will this help us love God? Will this help us love people? I hope to get a print of this as well to hang in our living room.

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.‘ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.‘ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

So now I have this Biblical guidance chosen for my life. My “work in progress” part is figuring out how to keep it in the forefront of my mind. That is part of the reason I want to have it all made into prints to post on the walls, so I see it often. I also think it will be beneficial to memorize the Scriptures we’ve chosen. If you have a mission statement or life verse, how do you keep it in the forefront of your mind?

Do you have a mission statement? Please share! What about a life verse for yourself, children or family? I’d love to hear it!

Please share in the comments.

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It’s time for the WIP (Work in Progress) Wednesday Link-Up!

Last week’s featured post: When Telling is Ugly by Amanda
In the post, she bravely broaches the subject of telling our stories and including details that show the “ugly” side of another person. Should we tell such stories? How do we tell them? When do we tell them? This post perfectly exhibits a “work in progress”. She doesn’t really offer any firm answers but opens the door for discussion.

What is God doing in your life? Link up a post below or let’s chat in the comments! Please make sure you link back to newlifesteward.com! This helps promote the community and allows everyone’s posts to be shared. If you aren’t sure how to do that, e-mail me! I’ll be glad to help!

Link Up Rules:

Please link to the post’s permalink so that it will go directly to the post you want us to read.
In the “Name” space, put the title of your post.
Limit 3 Links per week.
Please take time to visit the blogger before you and encourage them in their comments.
Use Hashtag #WIPwed when you tweet about your post!
One Post will be featured each week from the previous week’s Linky!
Please link back to newlifesteward.com so your readers know where to find us! (Grab the button on the sidebar!)

Reading this in a Reader or e-mail? CLICK HERE to hop over and link-up or comment!

This post is linked with thanks to:

Works for Me Wednesday
iFellowship
Women in the Word Wednesday
Living Well Wednesday
Unwrapping His Promises
God Bumps and God-Incidences
Whatever Wednesday Photo Credit: FamilyMWR

Some links are affiliate links. See disclosure policy.

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bluecottonmemory

I love the verse you picked for your son. We started out when the oldest turned 14 having a gold cross made for him with a scripture we chose for him. We meant to continue that tradition but he never wore it – but I think we need to pick it up and continue it. I’m so glad you stopped by the other day – and so glad my post joined a chorus of what God’s been saying! Wishing you much blessing – and thank you for being so gracious!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Thanks for being faithful to share what God lays on your heart! You are inspiring others!
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http://twitter.com/lifesurrendered Michele-Lyn

I love how you are doing this. It is so inspiring. I love the idea of choosing a life verse for each child. I am going to do that! As for a mission statement, I have a short life one I think I need to revisit…

“Living to draw out potential, ignite passion and foster growth in myself and others for the glory of God.”

Blessings to you,

Michele-Lyn
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  I like it being short. Mine is so long, I am unmotivated to memorize it. I’d like something that is brief I could say to myself–or easily post somewhere.
Steph@livingundone

I love the idea of picking a life verse for our kids. My husband’s a pastor and we stumbled upon a ministry verse last year and it’s been very encouraging during times of discouragement. Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58)
http://susanstilwell.com/ Susan Rinehart Stilwell

So much to love about this post, Mary Beth — mission statement, virtues for your kids, life verses, etc. GREAT stuff! My mom spoke Luke 12:48 over me my entire life (to whom much is given, much is expected). I felt a lot of pressure since I was already a neurotic, perfectionistic, firstborn. Thankfully the Lord has worked in me over the years, and Romans 15:13 sums it up for me:
“May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you TRUST Him…”

Oh for grace to trust Him more!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  We have so much in common: neurotic, perfectionist ahem? thankful for GRACE!
http://www.newequus.wordpress.com/ Mindy @ New Equus

When my Hubby and I married we picked a life verse for our family…Romans 1:16 –
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes….
Judith

Mary Beth, Thanks for linking up on my blog in return, that was sweet of you. Your blog looks like a favorite already, so I’ll just have to be back when I have more time

I like your social icons across the bottom of your posts. Where did you get them from and how did you put them there (if you don’t mind sharing.)
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  I’m glad you enjoy what you see here! I enjoyed the posts you recommended!
  I sent you an e-mail about the social buttons. I wasn’t sure if you would get a notification of this comment. Let me know if it doesn’t come through!
- Judith
  
  I’m back to thank you for telling me where to get the icons at the bottom of your posts Thanks so much for the help!!
http://scribingthejourney.com/ Duane Scott

Your mission statement has inspired me today, to write one of my own. Thank you.
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Awe! I’m honored! Do come back and share when you’re done?
Wendy @ E1A

This is a very important subject Mary Beth. I believe it’s vitally important to have a Statement of Faith posted on our blog. Some bloggers are not posting their SoF and unless you are well grounded in the Word of God, you could be deceived and end up following a cult! There was one such instance I read about yesterday which involved a Christian (perhaps new to the faith) who was almost deceived by a certain well-known ‘cult’. The Lord led her to a Christian blog which showed her that the blog she had landed on was not Christian.

I am sometimes a bit ‘wary’ when I visit a blog and there is no SoF.

P.S. Thank you for visiting my blog this afternoon. I use a very useful tool called Reftag to link up with Scriptures. You can find out more about Reftag here:

http://www.logos.com/reftagger

It’s certainly cuts down on time linking individual Scriptures and works on many different blogging platforms.
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Thanks so much for the tip of references! I have considered posting a more detailed statement of faith for that very purpose. Thanks for stopping by!
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http://hissongtomeshalom.blogspot.in/ Mandy

Thanks for featuring my post! On a different note, I am in the process of switching my blog from Blogger to WordPress. I am planning a relaunch and adding an art shop, either right on the blog or linked to Etsy. I may be able to help you with posting your verses:)
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Oh that would be so exciting! I’d love to see what you can do! Also, please let me know if I can help with the launch in any way!
Sylvia R @ sylvrpen.com

I *love* your mission statement. And that print for the wall is an excellent idea.
I have my life aim in abbreviated form at the top of my blog. At the front of my personal journal I have a more specific set of ongoing for-real resolutions I continuously aim to follow more and more consistently. When I begin a new journal, I usually print out a copy and paste it inside the cover. Every now and then (if I’ve been progressing) I add another resolution. One of them, BTW, is to look to God for all my needs, and that includes my growing in these things! (Very important, as you made clear! Only by God’s grace…)
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  That’s a fabulous idea! I may print it out and put it inside my Bible study binder! Thanks so much for sharing!
renee@joyfulmombaude.com

Renee Tougus at FIMBY has an awesome post on the steps to a mission statement. I have read and reread it several times.
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  I will have to check that out! Thanks for sharing.
http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/ SimplyHelpingHim

I have never thought of having a life verse or a mission statement for myself. Thanks for the idea, inspiration and for linking up! Blessings friend!
Cheryl E

I thought about and searched for a life verse for myself for about a year before choosing Eph. 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”. I chose this verse because I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 13 years old, but the “church” failed to teach me about grace. Two years ago, at the age of 44, a dear, sweet friend at my current church explained Jesus’ grace and mercy to me. All these years I have been trying to “measure up” and I don’t need to. I am forgiven, chosen, loved, and belong to God. So you can see why this verse is my life verse and my eyes well up with tears whenever I bring it to mind. Oh, how grateful I am!!!!!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  I’m learning about grace, too! I’ve spent a lot of my life trying to measure up as well.
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http://www.dianadenis.com/ Diana Denis

I read this post last week and immediately began to work on my own personal mission statement. I have had a life verse (Psalm 46:10) for a little over two years so any statement I develop will certainly incorporate it. After I read your post it seemed almost obvious that I should have had this in place already. This was great inspiration. I am praying about verses to pray over my daughters. I never thought about this. I’m excited about setting some special time aside to share these verses with my daughters. Thank you Mary Beth. I am consistently blessed, challenged and encouraged by your posts!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Thank you Diana. I really appreciate you taking time to share this with me! It is so encouraging to know that people are actually taking to heart what I share. Please come back and let me know how everything goes! I know your daughters will treasure this special time and knowing you are praying Scripture for them!
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Rachel @myheartsmission

Jesse and I are memorizing Matthew 22:36-39 right now! Stumbled on this while I was coming to link up today. Such an encouraging post- I love the idea of choosing a life verse for your kids and 5 virtues. Very inspirational. Hope you are well today- may the peace of Christ be with you.
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