A good mission statement is usable. When it comes to mission statements, an effective organization:

1. Uses the mission statement. It doesn’t just hang the mission on the wall.
   
2. Shares the mission statement verbatim with interested parties. It doesn’t have interested parties read the mission.
   
3. Talks about the mission statement at meetings. It doesn’t have meetings where the leadership reminds the staff what the mission is.
   
4. Makes the mission statement the rallying cry. It doesn’t make the mission a display of fragile artwork.
   
5. Focuses its staff on achieving the mission. It doesn’t primarily focus on staff working hard.

To increase the likelihood that your mission statement will get used, make sure your mission statement:

• Identifies what God is calling you to do.
  
• Identifies the organization’s name, purpose, and target population.
  
• Is compelling.
  
• Is easy to say.
  
• Is easy to memorize.
  
• Uses active verbs.
  
• Uses precise wording.
  
• Is free of jargon.
  
• Is 25 words or less.

Remember, the goal is to have a mission statement that is used—not just to have a mission statement. Make your mission usable. (A mediocre mission statement that gets used is better than a wonderful mission statement that doesn’t get used.)