Age: 36; Height: 5’10; Weight: 222; BF: ~35%. Measuring Tape Went Missing. Ground zero of BWF recommended routine. Married 6 years; 2 kids under three years old. Read WISNIFG, MMSLP. Reading Biblical Masculinity Blueprint. Been working on RPC for about a month.

I took my wife to DQ yesterday and then drove around town. My mom had the kids. Second date out since the birth of our second in February and COVID which still looms large here. I realized a couple of things as we talked, a big one was about mission.

When we met and got married, I had a clear mission, and we were both on it together. Then we started having kids, and her ability to partner with me in youth ministry shifted. She was less present in the ministry, but supportive in other ways. Then I realized my days in youth ministry are coming to a close. The current mission was unclear because the context of youth ministry always framed it. My wife wants to be a good First Officer, but has been confused and asking if I want to stay in church ministry. (I have had a rough go in youth ministry. Fruitful, but hard.) I realize what she perceives as a mission change is a context shift.

I sat down and wrote out a mission statement with flexibility in context: I can see myself working in a handful of roles In the church and want to live out my mission regardless of position or employment at a church. I want my wife to understand what we’re doing.

Gentlemen, is the following a strong and clear mission?

My Mission is to become a man who brings glory to God in pastoral ministry, sharing the gospel, discipling others, and encouraging the body of Christ through writing.

  1. I commit to being faithful to the work of a pastor: teaching sound doctrine, caring for my flock as an under-shepherd, and boldly leading towards the fulfillment of the great commission.
  2. I will challenge my flock to be intentional about owning their faith, developing a discipleship plan that includes go-and-tell evangelism. When in a teaching position, I will ensure that my church is confident that their friends and family will hear the gospel somas to commit to a secondary come-and-hear evangelism.
  3. I commit to sit down six-days a week and work on my writing craft: blogs, articles, or a book. I will study the art and research of Christian publishing. I will establish publication goals annually. I will read voraciously.

To be effective in my mission, I will develop discernment, courage, and discipline.