As a parent, you have likely defined what kind of atmosphere you want to raise your kids in; a loving and comforting space, a Christ-centered home, or a place of laughter, purpose and harmony together in your day to day lives.
Building on that vision of the environment you want to create, the next step is to put it into words as a Christian family vision - a clear, guiding declaration that aligns your family’s purpose, faith, and goals with your desired home-life.
Don’t allow creating your family vision statement to become merely an item off your to-do list. It's an investment in the future of your family. These keys will walk you through the process of creating a vision statement that not only inspires but also keeps you and your family moving forward on the same page.
Family Vision Statement Key 1: Define Your Fundamental Values
The first step in creating a vision statement for your family is to define the values that matter most to you. Think of it as the impossible thing that can only be accomplished with God’s help and in a directional and exciting way.
Discuss topics such as: What are the characteristics you want your children to grow up with? What values do you believe will shape them into adults that will handle life and its challenges with grace, humility, and turning to God for each situation?
For example, you might consider values like:
- Faith
- Love
- Integrity
- Generosity
- Stewardship
- Forgiveness
For examples and help in identifying values, use the Legacy Stone guide for this process.
Family Vision Statement Key 2: Write with Clarity and Action
Once you’ve defined your family’s core values, it’s time to translate them into a written vision statement. The goal here is clarity. Your family vision statement should be easy to remember and speak personally to everyone in the family. It should relate to the future and outline the kind of people you aspire to be as a family and the impact you want to have on the world around you.
3 steps for an effective Christian family vision statement:
- Keep it Focused: Your vision statement should reflect your family’s purpose. What do you want your family to look like in the future? What kind of impact do you want to have on others?
- Be Specific, But Not Overly Detailed: Your family vision statement should be clear and concise, but it doesn’t have to capture every little thing. Focus on the big picture. For instance, if you want to emphasize faith, a statement like “Always reflecting God's heart so others can know Jesus” keeps it focused without going into too much detail.
- Include Biblical Principles: Ground your vision statement in Scripture. Incorporate verses that reflect the values and goals you’ve set as a family. For example, Ephesians 4:32 could inspire a vision focused on forgiveness: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Explore a variety of examples of family vision statements here that can inspire and guide you in building a powerful and purposeful vision for your family.
Family Vision Statement Key 3: Establish Present & Future Goals to Stay in Line with Your Vision
Having a family vision statement is essential, but it’s not enough to simply write it down. You need to make sure your daily actions and long-term goals consistently point you back to your vision.
Setting goals to reflect your vision:
- Break Down Long-Term Goals into Actionable Steps: Think about what your family wants to accomplish in the next 1, 5, and 15 years. For example, if part of your vision is to raise children who are grounded in faith, one goal might be to commit to family Bible study twice a week.
- Stewardship Agenda: Include spiritual habits in your stewardship as a family. Allow your children to be involved in higher level items like choosing a cause to donate to, where you can expend volunteer time (such as church ministry, volunteering in the nursery during services, etc.). Stewarding your time, resources, and energy as a family is vital in current and future goals.
- Track Progress: Regularly evaluate how your family is doing in relation to your vision statement. What’s working well? What needs to change? This can be done through regular family meetings, where you check in on your progress, celebrate successes, and adjust goals as needed.
Family Vision Statement Key 4: Write It Down and Make It Visible
Writing down your family vision statement is crucial. But it’s not enough to just have it hidden away in a notebook. Put it in a place where everyone can see it daily and be reminded of their commitment and promise to the vision.
Fun ways to display your family vision statement:
- Create a Family Vision Board: Make this a fun activity for after dinner one night and create a board with your statement front and center. Display it somewhere central in the house.
- Write It in a Family Journal: Keep a journal with your vision statement, goals, and reflections to track progress over time.
- Keep Notecards: Notate your family vision statement and give a notecard to each family member where they can hang it in a prominent place in their room, office, car, etc.
Pursuing Your Vision in Additional Ways
As you work to bring your family’s vision to life, the Legacy Stone Family Study is the perfect resource to help you define values, create a clear mission, and build a lasting legacy. This multi-session guide offers practical tools to align your family’s actions with your vision, ensuring that the impact you make today will carry forward for generations. Start building your family’s legacy now.