What Is a Family Mission Statement? Define It and Use It Daily

Does life feel like is just happening to you sometimes?

Sometimes families run on autopilot. Wake up. Rush out the door. Survive the day. Rinse and repeat. Maybe that’s your family. And it’s not that you don’t care. It’s just that life gets loud, and without realizing it, you’ve defaulted to reacting to your life instead of leading.

You’re likely feeling it already- that sense that your family is doing a lot, but something’s missing. You want more intention. More clarity. Less reacting, more direction. That transition starts with a family mission statement.

You have to know what you stand for. You will need to know how to make decisions quickly. You operate in raising your kids with strong character and purpose. That’s what a family mission statement does. So at this point you might be wondering, what is a mission statement? We’re so glad you asked! 

So, What Is a Family Mission Statement?

First, let’s clear something up: your family mission statement isn't the same as your vision. Your vision paints the big picture, the dream for your family’s future. It's also different from your core values, which are the deep beliefs you hold. 

Instead, a family mission statement answers one simple question: “What should our family actually do  to reflect who God has called us to be and to accomplish our vision?”

Define it as your daily game plan. It's a simple, clear direction for how you treat each other, how you make decisions, and how you show up in the world each day. 

Why a Clear Mission Statement Definition Makes Your Life Easier

What you need is a clear, practical line for your mission statement. A solid mission statement:

• Helps make most daily decisions no-brainers. Whether you're choosing how to discipline a situation, deciding which commitments to say yes to, or figuring out how to respond in a hard moment, your mission becomes both the filter and the standard. 
• Keeps your whole family on the same page. Everyone knows what the standard is. A mission can be the standard for arguments, conversations, or simply living out daily life. Everyone knows the expectations and there’s no surprises. 
• Keeps the main thing, the main thing. When emotions run high or you’re being pulled in different directions, your mission reminds you what to prioritize. It helps you pause, recollect and say, "Okay, what do we stand for right now? And how does that determine what decision we make next?"

What Makes a Great Family Mission Statement (Not Just a Good One)?

Here’s a few notes on what sets apart a great family mission statement from a good one:

• It keeps things simple and focused: A strong and definitive mission gives your family language to course-correct in the everyday moments of life.
• It’s plain English: If your kid can’t repeat it without help, it’s not clear enough. Think short phrases, everyday words, and something you can say out loud without needing to read it off the fridge. We recommend that it is no more than 7 words.
• It tells you what to do next: Your mission should be about action over identity. When you’re dealing with work, a difficult teenager or deciding what to say yes or not to, it gives direction.
  • Living out mission is part of what you’ll do next. Get defined on what it looks like to live it out in specific areas of life. 
• It reflects your faith, naturally: It should repeat and refer to what Scripture teaches about how you live in your lifestyle. Consider traits like compassion, grace, love, humility etc.

Let’s Get Clear on Your Family’s Daily Move

Now that you understand what a family mission statement is, let’s get to building out a great one for you and your family. Start with writing it down (no more than 7 words), defining and presenting it to your family. From there, continue to repeat it and find ways to incorporate it into your daily life, especially in times of decision-making or conflict.

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Want further help crafting your own mission statement? We've designed the Family Legacy Study to help you do just that! You'll learn to pinpoint your family's values, mission, vision and more through our tailored-for-you approach.