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real light living

We’re On A Mission For Such A Time As This

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We are gathering, weaving words, speaking truth, and spilling our heart words out through blogging.  Social media is a fantastic tool to bring about goodness for God’s kingdom.  There has never been such an opportunity as this, where within minutes we can spread a message through Twitter and Facebook.  We can shout out from the mountaintops about the faithfulness of God and find people who will listen.

I believe we are in a window of time like no other, and it’s a perfect opportunity to jump in and be a part of a movement and a mission through our blogs.  There are hungry people searching for truth, for encouragement and for hope.  As the world is rapidly changing all around us, have you ever considered that social media and bloggers are being raised up and sent forth for such a time as this?

The media looks to bloggers to be game changers. The face of advertising and publishing has taken a favorable turn to blogging and social media.  Authors are being birthed, orators are springing forth, and ministries are flourishing all because of this exciting platform.

Don’t you want to be a part?  God calls us to be the light, and to shine that light to the lost. Just as this Allume site has the mission to “Live The Light”, we can come together and be the next wave of mission-minded bloggers for God’s purposes!

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light- Ephesians 5: 7-9

So where do we start?  Jumping into social media can grow weary if you don’t have a clear mission and focus. Speaking as a fellow blogger in this arena, I can quickly get discouraged, start comparing myself and wonder why I am blogging.  We can all have the best of intentions to be a mission-minded blogger, but not have a clear mission in the first place!

The most important secret I have found to keeping my eyes on the One whom I blog for, is to write out a mission statement.  By having a mission before me, I can reign in my focus when bloggers all around me seem to be doing more, writing better, and getting better opportunities than me. I highly recommend to any blogger whether new or experienced to write a mission statement for their blog and any online pursuits. Here is why.

Why we need a Mission Statement

  • You will stay focused.
  • You will keep blogging when you want to quit.
  • You will be able to combat all the outside “noise” of other blogs and alleviate comparing yourself with others.
  • You will be able to recognize how you are going to reach your audience with your unique message.
  • You will feel confident in who God created you to be.
  • You will see the unique value you have as a blogger.
  • You will be a game changer!

How To Create A Mission Statement

Answer the following questions:

Who will be my audience?

(women, moms, families, what is their age?, do they work?, do they stay home?)

What kind of content will I provide for that reader?

(instructional, devotional, practical, inspirational)

 Why do I want to blog? 

( income, ministry, a cause, creating a platform, hobby, creative outlet, to equip, instruct, encourage)

How will my readers find me?

(social media, networking, contributing, guest posting, ebooks, speaking)

What aesthetics do I want to achieve in my blog design?

(clean, simple, warm, old fashioned, modern, crafty, literary)

What image do I want to portray? 

(friendly, informative, business, helpful, girlfriend, mentor, coach, teacher, speaker, writer)

After answering all of these questions hopefully you will now have a better idea of where you are headed and feel more confident in your blogging. Keep in mind, when you write a mission statement, it isn’t set in stone and can be changed. You can keep your statement private and to yourself and review it often. I personally never show readers my mission statement. However, if you have a contributor site, like Sisters In Bloom, or a collaborative project, it is a good idea to share a common mission so everyone is on board.

Here is one of my overall mission statements which I use as a compass for all online pursuits.

I exist online to glorify God through my writing and interaction with others. I seek to blog with intention not perfection, and always inspire and encourage other women in their hearts. I long to always promote community and authentic relationships while writing online.

 

I hope that through the process of writing your own mission statement that you will see your unique value, and how you can be a mission-minded blogger for such a time as this! Together let’s shine the light to the world!

This post by: Denise Thompson, founder of Sisters In Bloom and Denise In Bloom.

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Comments

  1. Thank you for this, Denise. For nearly a year of blogging I have not written down an ‘official’ mission statement. You have reminded me of the necessity and benefit of such a thing. Blessings, sweet sister. 

  2. Oh, Denise – at last! Blogging advice I don’t have to ‘filter’ through the Upside Down Perspective I’m trying to cultivate. This is all in line with what God wants for my blog, and how He wants me to approach my online presence. You hit the nail on the head! Thank you for clarifying and confirming the potential we have as Christian bloggers and how to reach for that potential.

    • Oh Trina,  you are a like-minded blogger and I know God will continue to lead you and guide you in your blog.  You are intentional and writing out your mission will only reinforce what you already have within your heart! And yes the potential we have– it is endless!

  3. Denise, this is so good! I have been praying for God to give me direction for my blog for the last six months, and in the last two weeks, He’s given me a mission statement. I feel so free, excited, and focused instead of overwhelmed, incompetent, and frustrated. Thank you for this post: it’s both practical and encouraging.

    • Kelly, so great to hear. I get thrilled to hear of people who have a clear vision such as you.  It is a freeing experience for sure.  God bless you! Thank you for sharing with me today : )

  4. I’m an advocate of Mission Statements (even in marriages and childrearing). I never thought of it for my blog.  Thank you so much!

    • Oh yes! I agree – I love having mission statements fo marriage and family, and yes blogging is just another area to keep the vision. Thank you for stopping by Diane.

  5. Great encouraging blogging advise!!  A mission statement is a must.  Bless you!

  6. This is so timely for me!  Thank you Denise for sharing your wisdom in this area of blogging.  

  7. I just did this as part of my branding for my blog and it was probably the most helpful thing I did to establish focus and direction for my writing.  I agree this is a must!  We have a family mission statement too and I agree it is a very important part of how we live our lives on a day to day basis, what we say yes to and our direction as a family unit.  Thank you for this post.  It’s GREAT!
     

  8. When I started blogging a few short months ago, I never ever expected “community” and that I would make friends here. The blessing of that I have found, has me re-evaluating my purpose here, in a good way. This post really gives some practical and heartfelt guidelines for me to follow. Thank you… as I will now be prayerfully scratching out an “online mission statement”. 

    • Michele-Lyn, scratch away, and have fun in the process.  I am so thrilled that you have found community.  It is through Relevant (Allume) that I have found the best friendships and community, it is priceless, and I am glad you are having a chance to experience it as well. Blessings to you as you establish your online mission!

  9. Amen! God called me to blog this October for that very reason…sow what I know…the blog He entrusted me with is Spirit led and Spirit fed with my husband’s review and edit before each post. I’m thankful women are gathering to shine for Him in all platforms…we are reaching the unreached!
    altarofheaven.wordpress.com

    • Arcelia,

      “Sow what you know”- love that statement! Thank you for your inspiring words today.  I am glad we “met” through this post and right here on Allume. Yes together we can shine in the darkness. Blessings to you! 

  10. I love your overall mission statement. That’s my goal as well.  It so easy to take our eyes off the goal and the the One we do it for in the first place!  Thanks for laying it out so well.  

    • Eileen,

      I am glad it was helpful.  Yes it is so easy to take our eyes off the goal- really easy! I work to keep my blinders on.  Enjoy the process of creating your own unique mission.

  11. Great post Denise! I believe with all my heart that God is using us for such a time as this!!
    Blessings friend,
    Cyndi

  13. This is really helpful.  I’ve wondered what kind of niche I have carved out for myself.  Hopefully others can see it.  Thanks!  🙂

    • Lisa,  Yes we all wonder about our niche.  We will be covering niche as we go along in this series.  We will be here each Friday with a new post to encourage you in some aspect of blogging.  Thanks for stopping by today.

  14. Thank you so much.  I am just getting ready to start and this was a perfect first step for me.  I now have so much more clarity as to purpose.  Now all I need is to learn how to write better, get a domain name, figure out how to get a web design, learn about SEO…..  🙂

  15. Kudos, Denise, for a great post!  These points resonate with my philosophy as a life coach and the approach I take especially with a blogger/ministry focused women seeking to further develop and direct her online presence and overall life purpose.

    Looking forward to seeing your series unpack and meeting up with you at Allume.  I get to go this year!  Woot!  Woot!

    Blessings,
    Lisa

    http://www.moretobe.com & http://www.pnpcoaching.com

  19. An excellent suggestion. I feel such freedom in not posting every day because I’m trying to keep up with someone else’s mission statement. I am only asked to fulfill my mission, no one else’s, and I’m not even responsible for the outcome of my writing! That’s a huge relief. Thanks for a great post.

  20. Making a mission statement is wonderful. I never had looked at blogging this way before. So many great ideas. Thank you so much!

  21. What wonderful suggestions…I often begin to formulate one in my head, and then never follow through on paper (which I know is important when it comes to committing to things!). Perhaps I haven’t written it down because I’m afraid it won’t come to fruition? Yikes! Going to work on this, in faith, this weekend. Thanks for the encouragement.

  22. Thank you for this post.  I sat down the other day…and thought about blogging and blogging for God’s glory…about the internet…how it can take words from my home to a home across the globe…the magnificent joy that can bring and the responsibility it carries with it.  Yes…we are on the cusp of providing for others something that truly has not existed….Thank you for this encouragement and advice!

  24. thanks Denise for the practical & tangible questions in writing a blog mission statement (i.e. personal as well).  I appreciate it greatly!

  25. I think this is great. I’ll have to take some time to think about my mission statement. However, whatever I do, I want people to feel the love of God in everything I do. I want my blog to be a hospitable place, that makes people feel happy when they leave and encouraged…and just plain glad to be alive 😉 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂

  26. Great suggestions.  I have found that as time goes by I need to stick to what I set out to do (what God had put on my heart) when the temptation to do other things pulls me in a less than God-glorifying direction.  Having that filter – or “blog bumpers” already set I know what I should avoid / turn down and what I should seek out to do!

    • Love the term blog bumpers! So true.  I think of it as guardrails, and yes you are so right…when we have these in place then we can make decisions that keep us on the right path!  Thanks for sharing.

  27. What great encouragement!  I blog about Vacation Bible School, while seeking to encourage children and their teachers in a closer walk with God.  Sometimes I am tempted to compare my efforts with others, but I must keep my eyes solidly on the Lord.  That truly is where a mission statement comes in. 

    Then, when I am posting less because my own children need me more, I know I am keeping my priorities in order and what I share will be helpful and from the heart.  When my subject is not totally within my “keyword” target, I know it’s okay because it is what God has laid heavily on my heart.  I pray that others are being blessed.

    Thank you for the inspiration–I plan to check out more of what you have to share!

  28. I LOVE the idea of having a Mission Statement, but I also wonder how often it should change. I am someone who tries to be constantly learning all I can to make my blogs better, both on the business side and for my readers. So, with the frequent change, how often should your Mission Statement change?

    • Christina,

      I think this is a personal thing. You can change it as often as you need to. I have changed my mission on my personal blog often, as I feel God leading me and growing me in areas.  I first try to find one single thing (more broad) –a statement that still encompasses all I do, so I stay focused. I have 3 things I do online but all of them fit under a general umbrella.  Like for me I know I am called to inspire and encourage other women.  So everything filters from there. I hope that makes sense and helps you.  Remember it is our mission statement and it will evolve over time.

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