Values
I was going through some church planting studies. The Church Planter's Toolkit had some nuggets that caught my eye. In the section on “Clarifying Your Core Values,” are statements that help me understand why having a statement on values is important.“Core values drive and shape ministry. There is a guiding force, a controlling assumption, a directing conviction behind everything that happens…. The values of any organization control priorities, provide for the foundation for formulating goals, and set the tone and direction of the organization…. For what do you want your church to be known? What should be your critical success indicators?… Values communicate what is important. Values inspire people to action. Values influence the organization’s overall behavior. Values determine the ministry vision.”
From these thoughts about values, I look at values for a church start up as not just a dream of what things can be like, but as the pathway leading beyond the horizon from what I as yet cannot see. Being from a city, hiking in the woods was new and filled with fantasy. Trying to catch glimpses of chipmunks and birds, hearing new sounds. I often left the well paved path to pioneer my own. I would not venture too far off for fear of getting lost. The well worn path was my guide even though it was not immediately in sight. The path I ventured on my own, I marked by ravines and other features of landscape. Then as the sun began to set, trotting back to the safety of the well worn path, I returned with a sense of adventure. I had new discoveries of "the untamed wild" of nature. Not having that path to guide me would require me to find other reference points that I was not sure would lead me back home. The path was my base from which I could move forward.
Our core team has been meeting to discuss and consider, what are the values that guide us. Without having public services during this time and looking out beyond the horizon, what are the values God would desire us to embrace for this work?
We will be prayerfully considering and asking and searching the heart of God. The draft of our value statement is tentative not in the sense that we have no stand, but the sense that we seek God's finger print. Into his hand we submit ourselves according to his grace.
Value Statement
Working on the ABC’s
Authentic Worship
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind and with all of your strength.” We believe that worshipping our God and Savior authentically engages our heart, soul, mind and strength. There are many dimensions to worship expressed in the Sunday service as well as during the week as we serve our God. Our acts of service can be an offering to God being rendered unto God and for God’s glory. We want to express our worship in fresh ways and . Our prayer is that God is exalted in everything.
(Psalm 59:16; Matthew 22:37-38; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:15-20)
Bible centered teaching
The Bible exhorts pastors and teachers to teach wisely and prepare His people for works of service. We want to be students of God’s word. We believe the Bible is God’s authoritative word. The life-giving message of Jesus is meaningful and powerful. We may not have all the answers but God’s word does. We may lack wisdom, but God’s word provides wisdom. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Bible to equip us for every good work. Though our culture grows further away from biblical truth, the Bible is still the most relevant document to bring absolute truth to a world that has lost its way. Our prayer is that we teach and follow God’s word in the Bible.
(Psalm 119: 11, 105; Isaiah 55:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16; Hebrews 4:12)
Community Presence
Jesus commissioned the church to go and make disciples. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Jesus went into the world to seek and save the lost. He sends his church to go into the world, too. We must go to them, like Jesus came to this world. We want to have far-reaching, positive impact in our community. Engaging the community for Christ, our prayer is to reach out with the hope, love, grace and truth of Jesus.
(Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 19:10; John 20:21; 2 Corinthian 5:14-16; Galatians 6:9)
Diversity with grace and truth
The Bible uses a picture to describe believers in Jesus as His body. The body of Christ is diverse. In the rich tapestry of God’s church, we are unique strands forming a beautiful whole. The Holy Spirit has equipped members of the body with differing gifts and functions so that together we may serve the will of God for the common good. In this diverse body, we celebrate our unique contributions without taking pride over one another. Rather, we respect each other, honoring one another, building up one another, and love one another as the Bible teaches. We want to be a place that accepts and welcomes all people regardless of background, social status or race. Our prayer is to be a place where people feel they belong.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Galatians 3:26-29; John 13:14; 1 Peter 1:22)
Empowering followers of Christ
Jesus commissioned his followers to go and make disciples. Jesus trained his disciples and then released them for service. Disciples are believers who are students of Jesus, following Jesus’ example. We prayerfully labor to build disciples to grow to their potential, who have regular times in the Bible and prayer, who enjoy the fellowship of believers in the Church and share the gospel with non-believers, serving others with the love of Jesus. Effectiveness and quality for service takes place through the Holy Spirit, working together, praying for God’s power and grace to serve well, and trusting Jesus to do what we cannot do by our own strength.
(Matthew 10:1; 28:19-20; John 13:15; 15:6, 16; Acts 4:29-30; Ephesians 4:11-12; 6:19-20; Colossians 1:28-29)
Fervent Prayer
Jesus’ followers asked Jesus how to pray. Jesus taught much about prayer in word and action. The early church fervently prayed. The Bible states simply, “Pray continually.” As we abide in Christ, prayer is the breathing of our soul. Regarding all that we do in all our activities, we rely on our Lord and Savior and His grace. Prayer is the natural response to Him. We desire to pray in rich communion with our Lord.
Matthew 6:5-15; John 15:7; Philippians 1:3-5; Ephesians 1:15-16; 3:15-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Glorifying God through Multiplication
As Jesus commissioned his followers to be his witnesses to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, we want to share God’s heart to reach out to our world with the message of Jesus. God desires to bless all people of the earth. Our God not only blesses us but calls us to be a blessing to all peoples. We will endeavor to multiply churches locally and globally. Our prayer is that God use us to make Him known.
(Genesis 12:2-4; Psalms 22:27; Acts 1:8)
posted by Dwain Fairweather @ 2:58 PM
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