Living Out Your One Excellent Mission

Part 6 of 6: The Road to Renewal

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”—Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

The Journey So Far

Over the past five weeks, we’ve taken a deep dive into what it means for a smaller church to discover and live out its One Excellent Mission (OEM):

1. Part 1: Why every church needs a clear, God-given mission instead of simply doing everything and burning out.

2. Part 2: How to discover your OEM by prayerfully discerning who God has called you to reach, what He has equipped you to do well, and what breaks your heart.

3. Part 3: Evaluating programs and ministries so they align with your OEM rather than just being “busy work.”

4. Part 4: Aligning every area of church life—worship, discipleship, hospitality, and outreach—around your mission.

5. Part 5: Leading change with grace and courage, honoring the past while boldly stepping into God’s future.

Now, it’s time to talk about the reward of this journey: what happens when a church not only defines its mission but actually lives it out.

Why Living Out Your Mission Matters

A One Excellent Mission is more than a slogan or a statement on your church website. It is a lens through which every decision is made. When your congregation truly embraces it, ministries stop competing for resources, leaders stop burning out, and your church begins to make a tangible impact on your community.

When Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16), He wasn’t talking about being busy—He was talking about being purposeful.

Living out your OEM allows your church to shine brightly, offering light and hope to those who need it most.

Real Stories of Transformation

Meeting Basic Needs, Sharing God’s Love

“Working with Pastor Sam, our leadership team identified our church’s One Excellent Mission as: ‘sharing God’s love with our neighbors through helping them with basic needs.’ This lens helped us focus when discerning how to use a commercial space that was made available to help us expand our ministry.”—Pastor Charles

Instead of rushing into just another outreach program, Pastor Charles and his team took time to evaluate the opportunity through the filter of their OEM. This clarity allowed them to develop a ministry center that truly met the needs of their community while staying aligned with who God called them to be.

Discovering Hidden Resources

“The Refocus program is a great resource for any church that is trying to make some positive changes. I had two churches go through this project. Probably one of the biggest learnings we had was about what resources we already have for ministry. Too often we overlook the everyday resources in our ministry. I would recommend this program to any church or pastor who wants to see positive changes in their congregations.”—Pastor Alan

Sometimes, the most powerful ministries are already within reach—you just need clarity to see them. Pastor Alan’s experience shows how discovering your OEM can open your eyes to assets and opportunities that were there all along.

From Youth Ministry Dreams to Senior Care Impact

One small rural church initially believed their future hinged on growing a youth ministry.

However, after prayerfully discovering their One Excellent Mission, they realized their true calling was to minister to seniors in their community.

Now, instead of pouring resources into a ministry that wasn’t producing fruit, they’ve redirected their energy:

• Using their church bus to transport elderly neighbors to Sunday services.

• Hosting monthly worship and fellowship gatherings at a local senior facility.

This shift not only revitalized their congregation but also brought hope and joy to people who were previously unreached.

Their church became a vital, life-giving light because they embraced who God uniquely created them to be.

When Churches Live Their OEM

When your church begins to live out its mission:

• Clarity replaces confusion. Leaders and volunteers know exactly what they are working toward.

• Energy returns. Instead of being drained by competing programs, your congregation is energized by focused, fruitful work.

• Impact multiplies. Ministries bear more fruit because they are rooted in prayerful alignment with God’s call.

• Hope is renewed. Tired congregations come alive again, excited to serve because their efforts truly matter.

When a church embraces its One Excellent Mission, it moves from simply surviving to joyfully thriving.

The Vitality Your Church Needs

Many churches are simply tired of doing what they’ve always done, yet they don’t know how to break free from old patterns.

Discovering and living out your OEM infuses new vitality into your congregation. It shifts the question from, “What can we do?” to, “What has God called us to do—right here, right now?”

This kind of focus honors God, blesses your community, and brings unity to your church family.

Call to Action: Take the Next Step

Your church’s best days are ahead—but only if you take intentional steps toward clarity and alignment.

If you’re ready to discover or fully live out your One Excellent Mission, I’d love to help.

Reach out to me at smallchurchcoaching.com to schedule a free one-hour consultation.

Together, we’ll discern where God is leading your church and create a plan to move forward with renewed purpose and Kingdom impact.