Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Introduction to How To Create A Family Mission Statement

Many businesses, organizations and non-profits declare who they are through their mission statements. A mission statement is simply a declaration of who you, what your purpose is and how you plan to incorporate your core values to achieve that purpose. 

How often do we actually hear about a family mission statement? If I’m being honest, I don’t know that I have ever heard one! Some families have crests hanging on their mantle over their fireplace. Other families live out their core values on a day-to-day basis. Further, we have numerous family friends that subscribe to specific core values for their family. 

But do families really concoct a mission statement declaring who they are, what they value and the purpose for their family? Unfortunately, I just don’t see this very often. Now, it took our family 11 years to create one. So, we certainly would be lumped into the category of “not having a mission statement” up until recently. 

Creating a family mission statement is a powerful tool that helps to unify your family members around a shared vision. It acts as a guide for your family’s core values, family goals, and the day-to-day decisions that shape your family life. In this post, I want to guide you through creating a family mission statement. Further, I want to uncover why your family values are essential to living a life on purpose. 

Let’s dive in.

Why is a Family Mission Statement Important?

You may be asking the obvious question. We’ve done pretty well so far as a family. So why do we need a mission statement? The simple answer is that you don’t! Family mission statements have absolutely no bearing on how you raise your children, where your family will end up when your mountain is climbed or the blessings you will receive over your life.

Absolutely none. 

However, what a family mission statement allows your family to do is gather around a specific purpose and visions in pursuit of something greater than yourselves. This is the essence of the mission statement. Declaring your core values as a family will create a cohesive family unit that breaks barriers and climbs mountains you otherwise would not climb. 

A family mission statement creates boundaries by which decisions are made – large and small. Further, a family mission statement lets the world know that your family know why it was put on this earth and what you’re going to do in order to leave a legacy that impacts the world for the greater good. 

So how do we actually create this family mission statement? Glad you asked! 

Here’s how.

Step 1: Gather the Family Together

The first step in creating your family’s mission statement is to gather the whole family for a family meeting. 

I’ll say this from experience, it can be very awkward gathering the entire family for a meeting, especially for the older kids. The best way to do this I’ve found is to make it serious. Let them know that this is a very special occasion and that it is important to you. 

The words, “It’s important to me” often go a long ways with kids. Your younger kids will likely jump at the idea because they probably expect something along the lines of a new dog or a fun family adventure. Just remember, this can be the start of your family legacy. 

Step 2: Reflect on Your Family’s Values

Once you’ve gathered the family, the next step is to reflect on your family’s values. Start by discussing your family’s core values and what you believe in as a family unit. This is where you can list of values that resonate with your family members. Ask questions that encourage reflection, such as, “What does our family stand for?” and “What kind of legacy do we want to leave for future generations?”

This is a great opportunity to instill the values of your family into your children. 

So what is it that your family values? 

For us, we value freedom, adventure, authenticity, community and experience. These are the words by which our family statement was created. 

Step 3: Define Your Family’s Purpose

After identifying your family’s values, it’s time to define your family’s purpose. This step involves thinking about what your family name will be associated with and what you want to achieve together. Consider the kinds of things that bring your family joy and fulfillment. 

What is the most important thing you want to instill in your children and pass down to the next generation? This shared vision will become the driving force behind your mission statement.

To make this step more tangible, ask a series of questions like:

• What do we want our family to be known for?
• How do we want to support each other in achieving our personal goals?
• What role does our faith or belief system play in our family’s mission?

Step 4: Draft the Mission Statement

Now that you have a clear understanding of your family’s values and purpose, it’s time to draft your mission statement. Start by combining all the ideas and values discussed in the previous steps into a first draft.

Keep it simple, using short phrases or even single words that capture the essence of what your family stands for. Aim for a memorable phrase that will resonate with all members of the family.

For example, your mission statement might include action statements like:

• “We are a family that values love, respect, and adventure.”
• “Our purpose is to support each other in living out God’s purpose for our lives.”

Step 5: Refine and Finalize the Statement

With your first draft in hand, the next step is to review and refine your family’s mission statement. Encourage each member of the family to provide feedback and suggest revisions. This is also the time to ensure that the final product reflects the collective values of your family and aligns with your family’s priorities. Yes, even your 2 year old child that is jumping on the couch constantly asking for food gets a say in your mission statement. 

Don’t worry if it takes a few revisions to get it right—this is a meaningful way to ensure everyone feels connected to the mission statement. Remember, there’s no wrong way to do this. The goal is to create a statement that genuinely represents your family’s identity and aspirations.

Step 6: Put Your Mission Statement into Action

Once your mission statement is finalized, it’s time to put it into action. Display it in a prominent place in your home, such as on a poster board in the living room or kitchen. This daily reminder will help reinforce your family’s values and keep everyone aligned with the mission.

I suggest utilizing Etsy to build your family mission statement that will hang above your fireplace or on your entry wall. 

Incorporate your family’s mission statement into your daily lives by using it to guide big decisions, household chores, and even family time. It can also be a reference point during special occasions and family meetings, ensuring that your family’s sense of purpose is always at the forefront.

Conclusion to How To Create A Family Mission Statement

Creating a family mission statement is a great way to strengthen family bonds and build a family culture rooted in shared values and a clear purpose. It’s more than just a set of rules—it’s a powerful tool that can guide your family through life’s challenges and opportunities. As your family grows and evolves, don’t hesitate to revisit and update your mission statement to reflect new goals and priorities.

If you’re curious about our family’s mission statement, here’s one example that we utilize often. 

We, the The Claborn family, commit to living a life grounded in the freedom that comes from our faith in Christ. Guided by His word, we embrace the adventure of life, daring to take bold risks in faith as we climb the mountains set before us. With each step, we trust in God’s strength and guidance, knowing that He is our refuge and our guide. We cherish authentic experiences that deepen our relationship with each other and with God, marveling at the beauty of His creation as we journey together. We are dedicated to building a Christ-centered community, reflecting His love, grace, and truth in all we do. Together, we will cultivate a home filled with prayer, love, and the courage to pursue the heights God calls us to, knowing that with Him, every peak is within reach.

Additional Resources

To help you on your journey, here are some mission statement examples and templates to inspire your own family mission statement:

• Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families”: A classic resource that offers valuable insights into building strong family bonds.
• Mission Statement Templates: Printable templates that you can use to craft your own family vision statement.
• Real-Life Examples: Examples from other families that have successfully created and lived by their mission statements.

Further, I’ve created a template that you can use to create your family’s mission statement. This template will allow you to list our your family’s core beliefs and values. Then, you can craft multiple mission statements and revise them until you come up with the perfect family mission statement. 

I’ve also written about an operating system based off of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) that will help you craft the adventures you want to see you family create. Utilizing this system will allow your family to write down what the good life actually looks like for you family. 

You will be able to diagnose your 10 year vision, 3 year plan and 1 year goals with this system. I can not recommend this system enough. 

Join The Ascent

If you found this article valuable, we’d love for you to join the community! Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Ascent, for more information about finding adventure and creating experiences for your family!

Related Posts

• Curated Conversations: Dinner Party Ideas For Adults
• Who We Are
• Creating a Family Vision Plan: Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Long-Term Goals
• Bible Verses About Living Life with Purpose | A How To Guide
• Our Story