Mission and Vision – Working With Purpose and Meaning

Camille Foster, Chair Missions Committee

What’s the difference between Mission and Vision? What is important about the distinction and the power of combining both?

For churches, Mission often defines “what” we do; the specific local, regional, and global outreach activities in which we engage. Here’s the question: Is it enough to merely engage in missions activities for the sake of doing so often because we think “it is the right thing to do”? 

Many would challenge that as a group of believers, we need to think beyond actual activities themselves and realize that in order to truly effect sustainable change we also have to have a vision. Sometimes visions are realized fairly quickly sometimes they take years. Look at where we’ve come as a country with respect to civil rights. The point is those who work should work with purpose.

Vision defines a desired future and helps guide all who accept and understand it. Shared vision can be can be a tool for building a sense of commitment by "developing shared images of the future we seek to create."  

I would encourage you to ask yourself the following questions: As a member of Saint Mark do you think we have a vision that supports our mission? What change do we want to see in the world? How can you be part of developing, strengthening, and driving both the vision and the mission?

For more information about current mission opportunities at Saint Mark contact Phillip Thomason pthomason@stmarkumc.org or Camille Foster lcfgolf@yahoo.com.