The UMC has a mission statement that we tout out all the default for anytime we are asked what our mission is.
"To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world"
Not bad really. It is clear and concise. It tells people what we do.
And that is the problem - it tells people what we do.
Simon Sinek gave a great TED Talk based on his book, Start With Why. Take 6 minutes and watch just a part of the whole TED Talk.
If you watched this, you will recall Sinek stated that everyone on the plant knows what they do. Some know how they do it. Few know why they do what they do.
"And by why I do not mean to make a profit. That is a result that is always a result."
The UMC is an organization that is very clear on what we do. We make disciples. Different churches may or may not know how they make disciples. But as an organization the UMC is not conveying why we do what we do.
You may be thinking, "Well isn't 'for the transformation of the world' the why of the UMC?" Perhaps. But this is too vague of a why to mean anything. Transform the world to be different in what ways?
Our mission statement is one that expresses what we do. And that may be part of the problem. We are clear on the what but not on the why.
So in an effort to be clear on my why, let me say:
Everything that I believe we all need to be the change we wish to see in the world. The way I do this is by sharing lessons that make people think, speak clearly and to not be afraid, and I love everyone I encounter. I just so happen to be a follower of Jesus Christ who taught me the way to be the change.
Would you like to join me.