Module 1,
Session 1
In Progress
Session 5 – Defining Values
- Work with your pastor, leaders from your supporting church, and members of the new church plant (if you already have members) to develop a core values statement. We recommend a group of 5 to 9 people. Divide the participants into groups of 3 or 4 people. In each group:
- Read your VISION and MISSION again.
- Read over the two examples of core values. They may provide guidance as you think about core values for your congregation.
- Identify the important, biblically supported values that reflect how you want to act as a congregation. (In your church’s cultural context, values other than those of the example statements above might need to be emphasized.)
- Choose 5–7 essential values that communicate how your congregation and its leaders should act in the upcoming years. There are many values that can be identified—you need to choose the most important ones for your congregation right now, those that will guide and support your VISION and MISSION.
- Ask each group to present its list of core values. Identify the biblical basis for each value.
- Together identify the 5–7 core values that communicate how God wants your congregation to act during the next three to five years.
- Present the list of core values to your congregation along with their biblical basis, explaining why you chose each particular value. Ask members for comments and ideas. Revise the list of values if necessary, but always be sure to base the core values on the Word of God.
- Provide an opportunity (for example, a special commitment service) for all the members of the church to commit themselves to living according to these core values.
- Be prepared to share your values statement during Module 4. Be prepared to discuss the process that you engaged to develop the Core Values Statement.