The little boy was just barely five years old. He had finished dinner, played with his toy trucks, and jumped up and down on his Daddy's lap several times. It was now bedtime, so he washed his face and hands and put on his pajamas. Then he did what he had been taught by his parents to do, he knelt down beside the bed, folded his hands, and prepared to say his evening prayers. For the last few weeks he had been learning The Lord’s Prayer, and decided to give it a try alone tonight. As he began, here is what came out: "Our Father, Who art in Heaven, how do you know my name?"

What started out as a simple exercise in rote memory became a deep theological question. The youngster merely got off track because he misheard that big word "hallowed." But adults spend a lifetime struggling with this issue.

In many respects, this question is at the very foundation of every faith community, because it is about identity – Who are we? Why do we exist? Should we exist? Whose are we? Does God know our name?

A very healthy way faith communities address this big question is to define the boundaries within which they will operate (core values), determine why they exist (mission statement), grapple with what they believe God wants them to accomplish (vision statement), and then develop specific practical steps they will take to achieve their God-guided mission/vision (ministry plans).

When was the last time your congregation wrestled with these questions - and found the answers so that they can continue to be the faith community God is calling them to be? Does God know our name?

The Center can help faith communities with these kinds of questions. For more information contact us about guiding your congregation through a strategic planning process.

Les Robinson   July 2010