The mission statement is a good place to start learning about the congregation and helping them to become a learning community. In recent decades, many churches have adopted mission statements and posted them on bulletins and Web sites. Not ends in themselves, mission statements serve as platforms of common vision, cornerstones of congregational identity and purpose. They remind congregations of their identity, priorities, and vocation.

If there is a mission statement, study it. How does adult formation fit into this congregation's sense of identity and mission? Is adult spiritual formation implicit or explicit in the community's self-understanding? What might the congregation need to carry out its mission?

If the congregation does not have a mission statement, ask them to consider writing one. In that process, ask how they understand adult formation and its role—and ask them to make it an explicit part of the mission statement.