Family Mission and Vision Statement FC Workbook The Family Mission and Vision Statement is the preamble of the family. It is a fun project and may require work at several council meetings to complete. It should be reviewed periodically, (maybe once a year), to see that all family members still understand and live by the vision. Some families memorize their mission statement and recite it at the beginning of Family Council. The Statement should be posted prominently in the home for all to see and should be referred to routinely. A copy should be in the Family Council Workbook. God himself provided His mission statement. It is found in Pearl of Great Price, Moses 1:39: This is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. God’s mission statement has not changed since the establishment of the earth. Christ provided the vision statement in Matthew 5:48: Be ye therefore perfect even at your father in heaven is perfect. It likewise has stood the test of time. Our mission statements should likewise stand the test of time.
All businesses have mission and vision statements, why not families and individuals? There are many corporate management texts that outline mission statement exercises. These can certainly be used as models at home. We can also use God’s model. It is the best!
We have discovered that our family mission statement is really a derivative of God’s mission statement. We have had two mission statements over the years. The second was developed because the younger four children had not participated in developing the first. Our first mission statement was over fourteen years old and the younger children needed the experience of developing a mission statement again to incorporate their ideas and help them feel a part of it. After all, they were expected to follow it. It was interesting also that our experience as parents had added new feelings as we work on the second statement.
The second Gordon Taylor Family Mission statement We the members of the Taylor family, in order to reach the Celestial Kingdom, will: Keep the commandments, Love each other as Christ loved, Help each other, Believe in each other, Use our time, talents, and resources wisely to serve and bless others, and Worship together… Forever.
The important point is to have a family mission statement. It provides family direction and focus. It should be periodically reviewed in Family Council to keep the council focused.
Here is our son Kenneth and wife Emily and their five children family mission statement: " Come unto Christ; embrace every good thing." They repeat it to begin every Family Council to focus. A mission statement form is available for download.
Goals Goal setting activity J Thomas Fyans said,"...Families who work cooperatively toward....goals will realize a happiness and peace which to other seems 'idealistic.'" Family goals naturally are derived from the mission and vision statement of the family. The Family Council is the place to discuss long term and annual Goals. Since goal setting is an activity unto itself, we recommend that it be a part of a special meeting of the council. It can be very fun. Note: Convene this meeting when the family is comfortable with the routine Family Councils and normally the beginning of a year.
Long-term goals List may include education to support ourselves and our families, mission service of all types - proclaiming the Gospel, employment, raising God's children, Eternal Marriage and enduring to the end. A fun project is to develop a timeline chart of expected major events in the life of the family members. It could include a projection of the family twenty - thirty years out or more. The chart could include: missions, education, marriage, etc. plus other personal achievement goals. This charting activity will help family members prepare at many levels for the future. It certainly helps parents in financial planning.
Annual goals With the goals, include big family events like vacations/trips and reunions, church events and individual items, i.e., school events, youth camps scouting, etc. You may want to develop a yearly calendar as part of this activity. There may be a number of significant events such as graduations, missions, reunions and wedding that must be programmed. Tip: Use of a computer calendar program can be most helpful in this activity.
Individual goals Include annual known goals of family members both physical and spiritual. A goal setting form is available to download.
Rules Family rules, like the Constitution of the United States, are a special document. We recommend a special meeting every few years (or as required) to review these rules as a group. Of course, new rules or interpretation of rules can be discussed at any Family Council meeting. Family rules which include rule with reason as to why. It should also include the natural and logical consequence for breaking the rule. A suggested rule form is available. Family rules reduce need for other discipline as they are agreed upon code of conduct for family members. Return to Agenda Administration