Your Church Needs to Clarify Its ‘Why’

Every church needs to be clear about why it exists. Your “why”—the reason your church exists—affects everything your church does, or at least it should.

Healthy churches understand their identity. Years ago, church strategist Win Arn surveyed 10,000 church members in nearly 1,000 churches. He asked them, “What is the purpose of your church?” Eighty-nine percent of members said the purpose of the church was to take care of them, their family, and the broader community. The other 11 percent of the members cited the Great Commission as the purpose of the church. When he asked pastors that question, the answers were reversed. 

That’s why so many churches struggle through conflict. Everybody isn’t on the same page about the church’s purpose. 

But unity is just one reason why clarifying your church’s purpose is so important. Here are five other reasons.

You’ll boost morale.

Nothing drains a church of its morale, energy, and resources more than not understanding its purpose. Sadly, that’s where many churches find themselves—just trying to get through the next Sunday morning, though they’re without a clear sense of direction. Over time, that lack of focus creates tension because everyone pushes their own ideas for the future. This can lead to conflict and, eventually, people looking elsewhere—toward organizations (or even other churches) that have a clear sense of purpose.

Proverbs 11:27 puts it this way: “If your goals are good, you will be respected” (GNT). If your church is struggling, there’s no faster way to bring new life into it than by embracing a vision. Knowing the “why” behind what you’re doing lifts the spirits of a congregation and builds the momentum you need to move toward a shared future.

You’ll reduce frustration.

Too many churches are trying to do so much that they’re not succeeding at what God has called them to do. That leaves leaders overwhelmed and feeling much like Isaiah did when he wrote, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all” (Isaiah 49:4 NIV). Leading a church without a clear purpose is like driving in the fog—you’re bound to crash.

Your church’s purpose acts as a filter, defining what your church does—and what it doesn’t do. That simplifies choices and helps to ensure you’re getting people involved in the right activities, not just keeping them busy. 

You’ll be able to concentrate better.

The church that forgets the ultimate becomes a slave to the immediate. Churches like that dilute their effectiveness. You may be busy, but you won’t be effective. 

Clear purpose can change that. A clear purpose helps you focus on what really matters. Focus amplifies impact. Paul understood this. He wrote, “I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13 TLB). Like a laser, a focused church cuts through barriers, while an unfocused church dissipates energy on minor issues.

You’ll get better participation. 

Many church members hold back from full involvement because they aren’t sure where the church is going. This ambiguity allows people with competing visions for your church to cause division.

But people are drawn to churches that know where they are going. Paul’s clear vision led to the enthusiastic support of the Philippian church. “Every time I pray for all of you, I do it with joy. I can do this because of the partnership we’ve had with you in the Good News from the first day ⸤you believed⸥ until now” (Philippians 1:4-5 GW).

You’ll be able to evaluate your ministry more effectively.

When you don’t know what you’re aiming at, you can’t properly evaluate how well you’re doing. Your evaluation becomes subjective and inconsistent.

But there’s another option. When your church is settled on its purpose, you’ll have a standard to assess whether activities align with the mission. Then you can eliminate outdated and ineffective ministries. 

A God-inspired vision aligns your church with God’s purpose, energizing your congregation for his work. 

It takes time to build your church on God’s purpose for you. It may even take several years. 

But that’s the path to church health.