It is very important that we understand why our congregations exist, the deepest reasons for their existence. It is not for personal sanctuary or safety for its members.  It is not for great discussions or potlucks. The congregation does not exist to make all of us who are its supporting and hard-working members happy and satisfied. 
 
Unitarian Unversalist congregations exist to support the individual struggle for human wholeness, the struggle for affirmation and justice for all living things, and the struggle to sustain our world and our planet. 
 
A congregation's mission states the reason for that congregation's existence.  It takes into consideration the congregation's unique ministry and history, it's particular place in the world and it's shared core values.  The governing body is accountable to the congregation through this agreed-upon statement of purpose, the congregational mission. 
 
A congregation's board of trustees exists to 'hold in trust' the stated mission and ministry of the congregation.  This is why individual board members are called 'trustees.'  The board does not exist to please or appease the views of individual members or individual ideas or projects, committees or other undertakings - unless they are in line with the mission.  The board of trustees is obliged to be true to the mission the congregation has named and claimed.
 
One could say that a congregation's mission is, put another way, its ministry - the reason for the congregation's existence and the work the congregation must accomplish. 
 
It is also critical to understand that a  congregation's mission and/or ministry must be grounded in its values - those things the congregation names to be of ultimate value and importance.  Equality and fairness. Peace and tolerance. Spiritual growth and wholeness. Gratitude and generosity. Freedom and responsibility.  Each congregation can lift up those which seem most important to the congregation at this particular point in history. 
 
Thus the foundation of a congregation rests on its named mission and ministry, which is grounded in the values it holds most worthy.  Its worship, its work in the world, its governance and decision-making, its programs for the education and edification of members, friends and the surrounding community - all happen in service to its mission. 
 
How does a congregation discover, name and lift up its mission?  The process is as important as the ultimate product - or, put another way, the product is only as good as the process that created it.  The discerning and naming of a congregation's mission is holy work.  It cannot be done by a select few.  The process may be led by respected leaders, but it must be open for participation by all congregation members and it cannot be done too quickly.