Foundation 2 – Communicate Your Ethos: Vision, Mission and Values

What role do vision, mission, and values play when we plant a church? Ps Joshua Lye brings us on a journey of discovery.

I received a call at age 20 during a revival in my church. I was ready to answer that call, but the Lord showed me through a succinct vision that I had to complete my career in the corporate world before going full-time. So, I obeyed the Lord, and as I progressed in my career, I continued teaching the Word of God on various platforms.

While working as a CFO, the Holy Spirit led me to minister to a group that subsequently experienced revival, and they wanted to grow the work into a church. After praying for over a year with my family, I received a clear confirmation from the Lord, and I started Revivalife Church (RLC) in 2013. I pastored the church on a bi-vocational basis until 2020, when I left my corporate career to go full-time, thus fulfilling the vision I received at age 20.

I was preparing to lead RLC through the next phase of growth when the Lord connected me with Rev Lawrence Koo of New Horizon Church (NHC) in July 2022. After a period of prayer and engagement with the board of NHC, the Holy Spirit led me to join NHC as Rev Koo’s successor, and my church integrated into NHC in July 2023. Therefore, the next phase of my personal vision for church growth will now happen within NHC, with the combined resources of the two integrated congregations.

Mission, Vision, and Values
The focus of this article is to share my vision, mission, and values in a church plant context. The mission of a church answers the question, “What do we do?” Its vision answers the question, “Where do we want to go?” Its values answer the question, “What do we stand for?” I will not be going into the technicalities of vision casting, but instead, I will share five spiritual reflections on the topic, having planted and pastored RLC for ten years.

The leader should not simply copy other successful churches or the parent church because his gifts may be different. King Saul’s armor will not work for David.

The Mission/Vision Must be Developed Clearly in the Leader’s Heart
Fulfilling the Great Commission involves planting new church communities. Firstly, the conviction of the unique mission/vision for the new church must be developed clearly in the heart of the leader through 1) the Word, 2) the Spirit, 3) personal experiences, 4) personal gifts/anointing, and 5) deep prayer over time. The leader should not simply copy other successful churches or the parent church because his gifts may be different. King Saul’s armor will not work for David.

Church growth can happen in three main ways: through reaching a specific group of people (e.g., foreign workers), having a presence in a new geographical location, or reaching people with a unique message or ministry (e.g., healing, prophetic ministry). Over the years, the Lord has developed in me a strong conviction of my unique ministry and my passion for revival, and I have used a clear framework to communicate my mission and vision consistently with my church.

People need to know how embarking on the church’s mission will help them in their own spiritual journey.

The Mission/Vision Must Align with Individual Leaders and Members’ Personal Goals
Secondly, a good mission/vision should include an alignment of the church’s corporate mission/vision with the personal goals of the individual leaders and members. People need to know how embarking on the church’s mission will help them in their own spiritual journey. Fulfilling the Great Commission at all costs, at the expense of individuals, will not be sustainable. They should experience the abundant life of Christ even as they pursue the church’s mission. At RLC, I ministered life to the people, and I discipled a team of young adults who grew spiritually and were empowered by the Spirit as they served with me. They grew personally, even as the church grew.

The Mission/Vision Must be Communicated Clearly and Consistently
Thirdly, the mission/vision must be communicated clearly and consistently in diverse ways. Communication is not about putting a statement on the website and placing a tick in the box. It is not about sharing a vision over a Sunday message. It is communicated through 1) the life of the leader, 2) teaching from the Word, 3) convictions from the Spirit, 4) inspiring stories or testimonies, and 5) demonstrations of the gifts or anointing. The mission/vision becomes the basis for crafting the values of the church, planning the programs of the church, and forming the culture of the church.

However, a church that is united with a common vision under a leader that follows God will make substantial progress, just like how the nation of Israel progressed under King David.

The Mission/Vision Must be the Glue that Unites
Fourthly, a compelling mission/vision that is communicated clearly to the leaders and members is a powerful glue that unites the members towards a common goal. Without it, everyone will do what is right in their own eyes, as described in the book of Judges. A church without a clear mission/vision will have different factions with a tribal mentality, like the different tribes of Israel. It will result in church politics and infighting, and most of the time the people will be firefighting instead of progressing towards a common goal. However, a church that is united with a common vision under a leader that follows God will make substantial progress, just like how the nation of Israel progressed under King David.

The Mission/Vision Must Excite Members to Play Respective Roles
Finally, the mission/vision will excite and energize the members to play their respective roles in its execution. Without it, members will be lethargic, they will lack enthusiasm, and they will inevitably leave the community to join another church that can excite them. Every small step towards the mission/vision should be celebrated. The sharing of stories and testimonies will help to reinforce the mission/vision and further motivate the members.

Every small step towards the mission/vision should be celebrated.

Over time, every small step adds up to substantial progress. We will be amazed to see the vision in our hearts becoming a reality through the combined efforts of a people united and energized by a well-communicated mission/vision.