How To Write A Family Mission Statement: A 5-Step Process | Conversations With the Browns

Mister Brown and Andrea Brown walk through a step-by-step process for developing a family mission statement that includes everyone

What comes to mind when you hear the words, “family mission statement”? Do you think of a nice quote up on the wall or a plaque you can buy at the store? You might and that’s okay. Today’s conversation about family mission statements goes a little deeper into the purpose of a mission statement and gives you a 5-step process for developing your own family mission statement.

What’s the point of a mission statement?

A family mission statement is about finding your core values and letting those core values guide your family through life. A mission statement can be helpful in naming the specific issues and standards that matter most to your family. The great thing about a family mission statement is that it can change over time. There are no requirements that it be profound and philosophical, though it can be, but it will be unique to each family.  

The 5-step process for developing your family mission statement

The three areas of focus that also make up the first three steps of the mission statement process are: Our Season, Our Values, and Our Practices. 

Take a sheet of paper and make three columns on it. Label the columns with the three areas of focus (see image below). You will be brainstorming during this part of the process, so every answer goes onto the paper and everyone in the family can contribute. Don’t edit as you go. The good and the bad, leave it. Any age can participate, so the brainstorming part may get a little crazy, but stick with it. 

Step #1: Our Values

The middle section of your paper is actually where you will start with your mission statement. What are your family values? Write as many words or phrases as you can to describe what your family values. What matters to you? What do you want to be true of your family?  

Are some things repeated? Seeing everything in one place shows what everyone has in common and honors the fact that everyone brings something different and valuable to the family. 

Step #2: Our Season

Use this section to describe the season you are in. What opportunities and challenges does this season of life bring to you as a family, in your neighborhood, in your culture, or in the world? The age of your kids affects the season you are in too. 

Because there are opportunities and challenges with every season of life, this section gives everyone in the family a chance to voice the positive and negative things they are noticing. That is why Our Season is the second step in the process rather than first. 

Naming your family values first can give you a clearer perspective on the positive and negative things about the season you are in. Life changes and so do the seasons. If your family is going through a tough season, you can look for the good that is also happening in that season.    

Step #3: Our Practices

List practices that are important to your family. What behaviors feel central to who you are? What choices do you want to regularly make? What do you enjoy? What kind of work do you feel called to do? What behaviors align with your values? 

Build your list of practices that are important to you as a family. These can be practices that your family aspires to. Maybe some practices are challenging for your family, but you can appreciate the practice and be striving to make it more a part of your life. 

Step #4: Circle Keywords and Repeated Phrases 

Take everything that was said and find the similarities. You are simplifying your list to find what your core values are as a family.

Step #5: Summarize

Put each area into a sentence that names the values, the season, and the practices your family connects with the most. Have your family’s values structure your mission statement. Remember that the family mission statement is a living document. It is not set in stone. It can change as your family changes. 

The mission statement isn’t really about the words. The process helps you find out as a family what matters most to you. It shows value to the members of your family and gets everyone’s unique perspective on what your family values are. 

The Brown family mission statement process

[14:35] The Brown family values

[20:18] The Brown family season

[26:00] The Brown family practices

[28:45] Supporting the interests of each other is a Brown family practice, Philippians 2:3-4. Can We Hold Hands and Disagree?

[35:00] The Brown Family Mission Statement

[44:45] Mister Brown’s Mission Statement and the value of doing a personal mission statement for yourself.

What did you think about today’s conversation? Are you feeling motivated to write a mission statement with your family? For yourself? 

Send us your questions and your thoughts. Let’s continue this conversation.   

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