Our Blog

Articulate Your Purpose and Calling: Developing a Personal Mission Statement

A personal mission statement is a powerful tool that defines one's purpose, guiding values, and the path to fulfilling their unique calling. For Christians, it holds special significance as it aligns one's life with God's will, providing clarity and direction rooted in His principles. This post is designed to assist you in crafting your personal mission statement, enabling you to clearly articulate your purpose and embrace your unique calling with confidence and clarity.

Discover Your Purpose

Recognizing God’s purpose for you begins with acknowledging the biblical foundation that establishes each person’s life has meaningful direction and intent. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God has plans for us, plans to prosper and not harm us, and Ephesians 2:10 states that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, verifying that our lives have purpose and direction. These verses affirm that we are intentionally crafted with unique gifts, talents, and passions meant to fulfill specific roles in God’s plan. Reflecting on these truths encourages us to explore our unique gifts, talents, and passions. 

Once we’ve identified these, we can discern how God has uniquely equipped us to contribute to His kingdom, and use our distinct abilities to serve others while glorifying Him.

Benefits of a Mission Statement:

• Articulates God-Given Purpose
• Guides Daily Life and Decisions
• Enhances Spiritual Growth
• Motivates and Inspires Faithful Living
• Facilitates Evangelism and Service
• Provides Clarity in Times of Uncertainty
• Promotes Accountability and Integrity
• Strengthens Identity in Christ
• Enhances Community and Fellowship
• Encourages Long-Term Faithfulness

Steps to Developing a Personal Mission Statement

Prayer and Reflection: Take the time for some quiet prayerful reflection. Ask God to provide direction for your life and calling. 

Identify Core Values

To distinguish your deepest held values, ask yourself identifying questions such as: 

• When faced with difficult decisions, what do you prioritize? 
• What qualities or virtues do you admire most in others? 
• In what areas of your life do you consistently invest time, energy, and resources? 
• How do you define success and fulfillment in life? 
• In what ways do you demonstrate empathy and compassion towards others?

Determine Your Passions and Strengths: Take the time to recognize your passions, talents, and strengths. 
Set Specific Goals: Determine your short-term and long-term goals. Consider how they resonate with your values, passions, and strengths. 
Write Your Statement: Consider using the following structure to write your mission statement: "My mission is to [action] through [method] to achieve [result] for [audience/beneficiaries]."

Refer to the following samples for inspiration:

• "My mission is to use my gifts of teaching and mentoring to disciple believers, equipping them to live out their faith boldly and make a positive impact in their spheres of influence, ultimately glorifying God in all aspects of life."
• "My mission is to nurture and strengthen families, providing support and guidance rooted in biblical principles, and helping them grow in faith, unity, and love, reflecting the image of God in their relationships."
• "My mission is to be a faithful witness of Christ's love in my community, reaching out to the lost and hurting with the message of salvation, and demonstrating God's love through acts of kindness, hospitality, and grace."
• "My mission is to advocate for the voiceless and oppressed, standing up for justice and righteousness in a world plagued by inequality and injustice, and striving to bring about God's kingdom of peace and equality."
• "My mission is to use my artistic talents to glorify God and inspire others, creating works that reflect His beauty, truth, and grace, and pointing people to the ultimate Artist and Creator of all things."

Use this worksheet as a tool to help you discern your unique mission

Bring Your Mission Statement to Life

Breathe life into your mission statement through intentional actions and habits that mirror your stated purpose. 

Set Clear Goals: Define specific, achievable goals that align with your mission and work towards them each day.
Create a Routine: Establish daily habits and routines that reflect your mission and help you stay focused on your goals. Consider reading it out loud when you first wake up or incorporate it into your morning prayer and devotional routine. 
Live with Integrity: Strive to live per your values and principles, maintaining integrity in all your actions and decisions.
Seek Opportunities for Growth: Continuously seek opportunities for personal and spiritual growth that will help you fulfill your mission and reach your full potential.
Practice Self-Care: Prioritize self-care practices that nurture your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, ensuring you have the energy and resilience to live out your mission effectively.
Be Mindful: Practice mindfulness and intentional living, staying present in each moment and mindful of how your actions and choices align with your mission.
Use Visual Aids: Keep your mission statement at the forefront of your mind by creating visual reminders. For example, you can write your mission statement on a sticky note and post it to your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, or workspace, set it as the background for your lock screen on your electronic devices, or create a vision board.
Review and Adjust as Needed: Review and adjust your mission statement as needed, allowing room for growth, refinement, and alignment with God's evolving plans for your life. This continual evaluation ensures that your actions remain in harmony with your mission and God's calling upon your life.
Lean on God: Prioritize your relationship with God through prayer, scripture reading, worship, and fellowship, seeking His guidance and strength to live out your mission each day.

Wrapping Up

The significance of having a personal mission statement cannot be overstated, as it provides clarity, direction, and motivation for faithful living; guiding us toward a life of meaningful impact. As we conclude, we encourage you to share your mission statement or insights about the process of crafting your statement in the comments. 

-Torrance Community Church of Christ

Putting Christ’s Love in Action

Imagine a world where every act of kindness, moment of patience, and gesture of forgiveness is rooted in a profound love that positively impacts both the giver and the receiver. Christ’s love is an active and powerful force that compels us to live differently and is implicit in creating valuable change among others. As we explore how to embody and demonstrate His love, consider the magnitude of the outward effect of embracing the countless opportunities you have to express His love. 

Understanding Christ’s Love

 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  John 13:34

John 13:34 gives us a directive that calls us to a higher standard of love- to love as Christ loves. Suitably, we need to first gain an understanding of His love. It challenges us to question our actions and attitudes, encouraging us to adopt a lifestyle that mirrors Christ’s selflessness, humility, and compassion. It allows us to better appreciate the call to life others in the same manner as Him. 
   Christ’s love is fundamentally different from any other kind of love. It is unconditional, sacrificial, and all-encompassing; surpassing emotions and manifesting in actions. 

Christ's love illustrated in the Bible:
Washing His Disciples’ Feet: This humble act of service defied the cultural norms of Christ’s time and demonstrated the depth of His love and humility. Washing feet was typically the job of the lowest servant, yet Jesus, the Son of God, performed this task to show that true leadership is rooted in servanthood and love.
The Samaritan Woman at the Well: Speaking with the Samaritan woman, Christ breaks cultural and social norms, offering her living water; expressing love, acceptance, and a path to spiritual renewal.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan: Through this parable, Jesus teaches the importance of loving and helping others regardless of social or ethnic boundaries, exemplifying inclusive love.
Calming the Storm: Calming the storm shows Christ's care for their safety, and provides reassurance of His love and protection. 
Praying for His Persecutors: Praying to God and asking Him to forgive those crucifying Him demonstrates love that overcomes extreme suffering and injustice. 
Comforting Mary and Martha: Before raising Lazarus, Jesus comforts Mary and Martha in their grief. His concern and willingness to be present show His empathy and compassion. 
The Incarnation: Christ’s commitment and love are evident in His decision to become human and live among us, sharing in our experiences and struggles.
The Crucifixion and Resurrection: His death on the cross is the ultimate expression of His love. Revealing the boundless depth of unconditional love, Christ willingly laid down His life to reconcile us to God.

Internal Change and Transformation

Living out Christ’s love begins with an internal transformation, a change that starts within the heart and radiates outward into our actions and relationships. Through this ongoing process of change, we become more attuned to the ways we can embody Christ’s love in our lives. As our hearts and minds are transformed, our actions naturally follow suit, making us authentic vessels of Christ’s love. This process involves establishing and maintaining a healthy relationship with Christ, so He can continually shape our words and actions. Regular prayer and scripture study provide opportunities to express our gratitude, seek guidance, internalize His teachings, and align our will with His. Reflecting Christ’s love means actively practicing forgiveness, patience, and humility. It requires us to bear with one another in love, calling us to put others’ needs before our own and serving them without seeking recognition or reward. This means letting go of grudges, responding to offenses with grace, and giving others the benefit of the doubt. Simple acts of kindness are a tangible way to put Christ’s love into action. Small and consistent gestures like offering a smile to a stranger, writing a note of encouragement, or helping a neighbor with groceries can have the most significant impact. Making these acts of kindness a regular part of our routine builds a habit of selflessness and compassion. Self-reflection helps us stay focused and accountable. Taking the time for daily self-assessments of our interactions and behaviors allows us to track our progress, and identify areas for improvement,  empowering us to make more intentional decisions. Willingly adopting and adhering to practices that encourage a continued openness for growth leads to changes within our hearts, minds, and spirits, leading to a renewed way of living that reflects Christ's love. 

Family and Relationships

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 

Ephesians 4:2-3 urges us to extend Christ’s love to everyone. This is especially important within the relationships around us. Demonstrating Christ’s love within our family, friends, and associations requires intentional efforts to build a foundation of respect, honor, and empathy. Whether it’s at home, work, or any other frequently visited place, this means creating a loving and supportive environment where each personal connection feels valued and cherished. The strive for unity encompasses active listening, valuing each other’s opinions, and acknowledging each person’s contributions. Christ’s love is rooted in empathy. Regardless of times of joy, success, or trial and struggle, empathy is expressed by being a consistently present source of comfort, support, and encouragement. This nurturing atmosphere means addressing conflicts with grace and understanding. It involves choosing to approach disagreements with a mindset of reconciliation, seeking to understand the other person's viewpoint, and working together to find a peaceful resolution. Prioritizing Christ’s love in our relational interactions strengthens our bonds and allows those around us to grow and thrive. 

Community Engagement

Engaging with our community provides ample opportunities to put Christ’s love into action on a broader scale that directly contributes to a lasting impact on the lives of those in need; showing them that they are seen, valued, and cared for. Through practical assistance and heartfelt empathy, serving the community involves actively seeking out opportunities to address the various needs and challenges of individuals and groups. Meeting these needs can look like volunteering at local organizations, participating in outreach programs, or advocating for social justice causes. Creating a sense of unity within our neighborhoods and cities bridges divides across cultural, racial, and socioeconomic constructs. Participating in the dialogue, collaboration, and mutual support builds inclusive and welcoming communities that recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every human being as beloved children of God.

Global Outreach

Surpassing geographical and cultural boundaries, global outreach represents a vital aspect of putting Christ’s love into action that embraces the entirety of humanity, enabling us to extend our compassion, resources, and support to communities and individuals in need across the world. Engaging in mission work offers an immersive experience to build relationships and share the message of Christ's love through word and deed through diverse cultural contexts on a global scale. Whether through short-term mission trips or long-term partnerships with local organizations, we have the chance to address a wide range of needs. This hands-on involvement allows us to witness firsthand the impact of our efforts, fostering mutual understanding and solidarity between different cultures and communities. Contributing our time, talents, and resources that support global initiatives and organizations working on the front lines of transcontinental challenges and conflict such as providing humanitarian aid, disaster relief, or sustainable development allows us to play a crucial role that stands as a testament to Christ’s love. Global outreach encompasses a commitment to promote peace and justice in areas experiencing persecution and oppression. Standing in solidarity and supporting efforts for peacebuilding amplifies the voices of the voiceless and advocates for the dignity and rights of all people, just as Christ portrayed. As we extend our hands and hearts to those in need, we participate in God’s redemptive work, ushering in a world where love, compassion, and justice reign supreme.

The Cycle of Christ’s Love

Each expression of Christ’s love, whatever it may be, genuine acts of service, intentional moments of empathy, words of encouragement, forgiveness, advocacy, unconditional support, respect, or recognition, illuminates the path toward a more harmonious and loving world. Inspiring those around us, it holds the potential to spark a chain reaction that gradually contributes to an ever-expanding circle of grace and humanity; transforming society into havens of empathy and understanding grounded in compassion. 

Overall

The commitment to love as Christ loves calls us to be ambassadors of reconciliation, peace, and justice. It requires intentionality, perseverance, and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones. Each effort of love recognizes our shared humanity and interconnectedness. Holding the potential to heal, restore, and uplift others, it is a collective mission to create a world where everyone is valued and accepted. 
Accept the challenge to live differently, to love boldly, forgive generously, and serve selflessly;  creating a positive impact on our lives and the world around us, one act of kindness and love at a time. 

-Torrance Community Church of Christ 

Further Reflection

Teaching Values, Patriotism, and Remembrance: Memorial Day Family Activities

Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial start of summer; it is a time to honor and remember the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. As Christians, it's important to teach our children about the significance of this day, instilling values of respect, remembrance, and gratitude. Below are some meaningful activities to help your family reflect on the true purpose of Memorial Day.

Engagement and Activities

When actively engaging in the following activities, families can provide a well-rounded understanding of Memorial Day, blending education, creativity, and community involvement to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.

Educational Engagement and Activities

History Lessons
Understanding the history behind Memorial Day can help children appreciate its significance. For younger children, you can read simple stories or picture books about Memorial Day. For older children, consider watching documentaries or reading biographies of soldiers who have served our country.
Activity: Create a timeline of important events leading up to the establishment of Memorial Day. Discuss how the day has evolved and what it means today.

Family History
Encourage children to research family members who may have served in the military. This project can help them feel a personal connection to Memorial Day.
Activity: Create a family tree that highlights relatives who served in the military. Include photos, letters, and stories shared by older family members.

Visit Local Memorials or Museums
Take a family trip to a local war memorial or military museum. Many of these sites offer educational programs specifically designed for children.
Activity: Encourage your children to ask questions and take notes during the visit. Later, they can share what they’ve learned with the family.

Memorial Day Family Movie Night
Select age-appropriate films or documentaries that depict the sacrifices of soldiers and the importance of Memorial Day.
Activity: Watch movies such as "The Longest Day" for older children or "America: The Story of Us" for younger ones. Follow up with a discussion about the themes of courage and sacrifice depicted in the films.

Crafty Engagement and Activities Remembrance Crafts

Children enhance their fun and creativity when crafting projects that honor fallen soldiers.  

• Activity: Handprint Flags
  Materials: Construction paper (red, white, and blue), paint (red, white, and blue), paintbrushes, and markers.
  Instructions: Have children dip their hands in red and white paint to create stripes on a blue piece of construction paper. Once dry, use markers to add stars to the blue section.
• Activity: Patriotic Windsocks
  Materials: Red, white, and blue crepe paper or tissue paper, cardboard tube (e.g., from a paper towel roll), scissors, glue, and string.
  Instructions: Cut the cardboard tube lengthwise to create a slit. Glue strips of red, white, and blue crepe paper or tissue paper to the inside edge of the tube, allowing them to hang down. Attach a string to hang the windsock. Hang these colorful decorations outside to celebrate Memorial Day.

• Activity: Remembrance Wreaths
  Materials: Paper plates, red, white, and blue paint, paintbrushes, scissors, construction paper (red, white, and blue), glue, and ribbon.
  Instructions: Cut the center out of a paper plate to create a wreath base. Paint the wreath red, white, and blue, or use colored paper strips to cover it. Cut out paper stars and attach them to the wreath. Write the names of fallen soldiers on paper strips and glue them to the wreath. Hang these wreaths as a symbol of remembrance.

• Activity: Poppy Flowers
  Materials: Red and black construction paper, green pipe cleaners, scissors, and glue.
  Instructions: Cut out red paper petals and a round black paper center to create poppies. Glue the petals together and attach the black center. Twist a green pipe cleaner around the base to create the stem. Explain the significance of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance, inspired by the famous poem "In Flanders Fields."

• Activity: Patriotic Stars of Freedom
  Materials: Star-shaped cardboard cutouts, red, white, and blue glitter, glue, and paintbrushes.
  Instructions: Have children paint the cardboard stars with glue and sprinkle red, white, and blue glitter over them. As they work, discuss the symbolism of stars in American culture and how they represent freedom and unity. These glittering stars can be hung as decorations or displayed in windows.

• Activity: Soldier Silhouettes
  Materials: Black construction paper, white chalk or chalk markers, scissors, and glue.
  Instructions: Cut out soldier silhouettes from black construction paper. Using white chalk or chalk markers, add details such as uniforms, weapons, and boots. Discuss the importance of honoring soldiers and the sacrifices they make for our freedom. These silhouettes can be displayed on a wall or bulletin board.

• Activity: Patriotic Magnets
  Materials: Craft foam (red, white, and blue), scissors, adhesive magnet strips.
  Instructions: Cut out rectangles of red and white foam to represent stripes and a square of blue foam for the union. Glue the pieces together to form a miniature American flag. Attach a magnet strip to the back of each flag. Children can proudly display these magnets on the refrigerator or other metal surfaces.

• Activity: Thank You Cards
  Materials: Cardstock or construction paper, markers, stickers, glitter, embellishments.
  Instructions: Have children create personalized thank-you cards for veterans. Encourage them to express gratitude through drawings, messages, or poems. Add decorative elements like stickers or glitter to make the cards extra special. These cards can be distributed to veterans at local veterans’ centers or sent to organizations that support military personnel.

Community Engagement and Activities

Attend Local Memorial Day Parades or Services
Check if your community hosts a Memorial Day parade or service. Participating in these events can be a powerful way for children to witness collective acts of remembrance.
Activity: Make signs or banners to honor fallen soldiers and carry them during the parade.

Community Service
Memorial Day is a great time to get involved in community service. Volunteer as a family to clean up veterans’ graves, help at a local veteran center, or participate in charity runs and walks.
Activity: Plan a family service day. Choose a project that everyone can participate in and discuss the importance of service and sacrifice.

Care Packages
Teach your children gratitude and appreciation by gathering goods for care packages for active military.
Activity: Put together care packages with your children, including items like snacks, hygiene products, and handwritten notes. Research organizations that can help you send these packages to soldiers overseas.
Print out these cards (inside messages included) to send with your packages!

Faith-Based Engagement and Activities

Read Biblical Stories of Sacrifice and Service
Select Bible stories that highlight themes of sacrifice, courage, and service. Discuss these stories as a family and relate them to the sacrifices made by soldiers.
Activity: As a family, read the story of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross (John 19) or the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Discuss how these stories relate to the courage and sacrifice of soldiers.

Family Prayer
Family prayer is a powerful tool to teach children about empathy and compassion. Set aside time to pray as a family for the soldiers who have given their lives and for their families who endured the loss. 
Activity: Create a prayer jar where family members can write down the names of soldiers or military families to pray for. Spend time each day drawing a name from the jar and praying together.

Creative Expression Engagement and Activities

Patriotic Art
Encourage children to express their understanding of Memorial Day through art.
Activity: Organize an art session where children can paint or draw scenes related to Memorial Day, such as flags, soldiers, or peace symbols. Display their artwork at home or share it with local veterans' organizations.

Patriotic Poetry
Have children write poems about what Memorial Day means to them.
Activity: Plan a family reading night where everyone shares their poetry. Consider submitting their work to a local newspaper or community newsletter.

Outdoor Engagement and Activities

Plant a Memorial Garden
Create a garden dedicated to fallen soldiers, with each plant symbolizing a different aspect of remembrance.
Activity: Plant flowers like poppies, which are traditionally associated with remembrance. Involve children in designing and maintaining the garden, and explain the symbolism behind each plant.
Help children remember the names and meanings of each plant with these printable plant labels. 

Remembrance Nature Walk
Take a family walk in a local park and pick up litter as a way to honor the environment soldiers fought to protect.
Activity: Combine the walk with a discussion about conservation and the importance of taking care of the land. Emphasize the association of the cleanup to the memory of fallen soldiers.

Playful Engagement and Activities

Memorial Day Trivia
Create a trivia game with questions about the history of Memorial Day, famous battles, and significant military figures.
Activity: Divide into teams and see who can answer the most questions correctly. Use this as an educational tool to teach children about important historical facts.

Scavenger Hunt
Organize a Memorial Day-themed scavenger hunt in your neighborhood or home.
Activity: Create clues related to historical facts about Memorial Day, and have children find objects that symbolize freedom, like mini flags or toy soldiers.

Interactive Engagement and Activities

Virtual Memorial Day Events
Many communities and organizations hold virtual Memorial Day events, such as online ceremonies or webinars.
Activity: Find and participate in a virtual Memorial Day service. Discuss the event afterward, focusing on what was learned and felt during the experience.

Wishing You a Meaningful Memorial Day

These activities provide a fun and educational approach that helps children understand the sacrifice of fallen soldiers while establishing a spirit of gratitude, respect, and empathy. May your Memorial Day be filled with meaningful reflections and purposeful activities as you honor and remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

-Torrance Community Church of Christ