They Aren't JUST Quirks #4

This is the fourth post in the series on plumblines. I highly suggest you read the first post first. In short, plumblines are those things a leader believes about ministry that shape the way he or she leads. A leader doesn’t need to explain them or justify them all the time. Larry Osborne says, “Plumblines don’t represent the only way to do ministry. They represent your way of doing ministry. So don’t worry if they seem somewhat narrow or controversial or even if they thin the herd…”

Let’s take a look at another Westwinds plumbline.

#10 EVERYTHING IN SUB:MISSION

Like most churches, Westwinds has a mission statement. Westwinds’ mission (Shadow God, Build the Church, Heal the World) is the whole entire reason we have a church in the first place. It's all about the mission. Mission first, mission only.

In the 90’s it was a big deal to have a mission statement—something churches borrowed from the business world—and it stuck. Personal mission statements were also a big deal in the 90’s. The problem with many mission statements—business or personal—is they are very inwardly focused. “This is what I want. This is who I am. This is how I operate. This is how I accomplish my goals, my dreams, my plans.”

We want to be clear our mission is not that. Our mission statement is the Great Commission in new clothes. Shadow God, Build the Church, Heal the World is our way of saying “Make disciples of everyone, baptize them, teach them to obey, remember I am with you.”

Because we won’t stray from mission, things that deter us or attempt to co-opt our energies (like political agendas or social agendas) must not be tolerated within the church. Often times we are asked to hang fliers and posters or put “Christian” voting guides in our lobby. Sometimes we are asked to endorse candidates from the stage. When we turn people down they will often say something to the effect that it is the church’s (meaning my or the other pastors') job to influence this. We believe it is not our job. It doesn’t mean we don’t have opinions. In any political agenda there are 100 different opinions. Some true. Some false. We choose to focus on the things we know are true. Or, rather, the person who is the Truth—Jesus.

The established power-brokers cannot have control at the expense of the mission. If someone ever uses the money card or the “I’ve been here forever” card to steer us off mission, it needs to be addressed. Likewise, the newbies cannot wrest control away at the expense of the mission. If someone has a good idea, a new ministry, a new direction, or a vision they want to share we are all ears. However, everything is sub:mission. Everything is viewed through the eyes of the mission.

With that said, we have a ton of freedom and creativity within the mission. We don’t do anything but we will do a lot of things. We aren’t boring and stingy. The mission is living and vibrant.

In light of this plumbline, we believe like-minded unity is more important than diversity, which is why we always look for staff and for leaders who think and believe like we do. Some will say there is power in diversity of opinion and perspective. While that may be true sometimes, we find things get done and stay on mission easier when leaders are like-minded.

We must be careful that we never become too proud to do the things that will help others shadow God, build the church, and heal the world. Nothing should ever be beneath us. We must be willing to get our hands dirty in light of the mission. This is why wearing a suit and tie to church has never sat right with me. The suit and tie church attire is a good metaphor for what we don’t want to be—polished and relaxed. The church is not a place you go TO all prim and proper, it is a place you go out FROM to break a mission sweat. (metaphors break down at some point. You can wear whatever you want to Westwinds. It’s a word picture).

We must also be careful that the internal needs and desires of the church don't force us to become insular and unconcerned about the world around us. Outreach should always trump in-reach. When we are busy meeting the needs of others, we don’t have time to cry about our needs not being met.

It should also be noted that mission and activism are different. Mission is about 'healing the world' and requires gospel-centered effort, whereas social activism is really only about good works and requires only good intentions. The mission is not specifically recyclable, organic, fair-trade, artistic or indie. Those things are good and honorable in and of themselves but must not be mistaken for the mission. They may be inherent in the mission, but they are not the mission.

To center us on mission, we tell our people that [1] everyone needs to understand the biblical foundation for why we do what we do, [2] everyone needs to invite the Spirit to change us as we do it, [3] the church must always be included in the story, and [4] Jesus must always be elevated.