By Deacon Jessica Noonan (she/her), Acting Executive Director at LEAD

One of the most fun things we get to do as an organization is to walk alongside a congregation for a year as we do the work of strategic planning. We listen to God in a variety of ways that inform the work of congregational identity, set goals and write a plan. It’s in the second step – forming the purpose – why the church exists at this time and place that can cause congregations to get really stuck. For many congregations they have never had this conversation or it’s been a lot of years. In that time of not living out of a shared purpose, the congregational focus becomes distorted because it’s on budgets, the people who have left the congregation, and other types of loss. The list could go on for a long time!

When a congregation takes the time to listen deeply to God and center their work together on shared purpose and values, the shift in the life of the faith community is remarkable. It’s not an overnight occurrence, it takes time and continual conversation and teaching. When we know our “why” we can live in a different way together. We are able to make more faithful decisions about mission, money, processes, staffing, etc. Living out of a shared purpose also brings energy and focus because we are moving in the same direction. 

A congregation’s purpose is unique to every congregation because congregations are made up of different people in different contexts and cultures. We love supporting congregations as they discover their “why” – reach out and let us know how we can support you!