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This document was written to help explain the values we believe act as a strong foundation to the Christian community as we gather for worship and service. It is not meant as a legalistic document, but rather as directional; to help us know where we are going together, rather than tie us to any particular course.
OUR MAIN VALUE IS:
We should be evangelical.
By this we mean that the final arbiter should be the Bible rather than a person's good ideas. A Christian individual or group should aim for Biblical integrity.
OUR OTHER VALUES ARE:
A) Every Member Ministry
- All that we do should lead us to be a body/community: organism rather than organisation.
- Keeping the tension between Holy Spirit led anarchy, i.e. our only leader is the Lord (1 Corinthians 12), and a Holy Spirit inspired giftocracy (Ephesians 4).
B) The "Leadership" Style should be:
- Although we use the word "leadership", we recognise the Biblical understanding of this idea is one of being a follower of Jesus who is worth following, and being prepared to serve using God given gifts.
- Communication not coercion (from those with power); listening, giving opinions, rather than grumbling or pride.
- Facilitating unity of faith and purpose, while maintaining diversity of gift and personality (Galatians 6 v 2&5).
- Maintaining clear aims and objectives by looking to the Lord for creative thinking and good decision making.
- Leadership giftings are from God (Romans 12) and He does not limit His gifts on the basis of race, class, gender, social standing or health.
C) Our Discipleship Style should be:
- Respect in relationships, integrity in morality and consistency in spiritual disciplines - rock not sand (Matthew 7 v 24-27).
- Light not heat; sun not wind, liberty not control, spirit not law (2 Cor 3&4)
Submission to the Leadership Team's authority on matters of morality, church life and doctrine (or feel free to go somewhere else!).
- Providing opportunities to increase commitment, rather than laying down ultimata. N.B. over commitment of time = disobedience to God!
D) Our Evangelism/Pastoral Style should be:
- Real Christians will naturally love, teach, care and reach out to one another and others as an overflow of their relationship with God.
- Church programmes can and should facilitate the above by helping people (both members of the church and those not yet converted) get to know one another and interact in a holy spiritual atmosphere.
- Special church events can provide vision and opportunity to focus this process into particular seasons.
E) Our Programme Style should be:
- God is contemporary so change is continuous. No structure is sacred! Jesus' opinions and people's needs take priority over plans.
- Our goal is to practise the art of what is possible with God.
- The person who has the vision must expect to carry the burden.
- We believe that small groups (flowing with the greater purpose of God) are better than big cumbersome organisations, but this is open to review at any time.
F) Our Finance Style should be:
- Biblical principles of giving will be taught and practised.
- Uncontrolled debt is a sign of sin.
- Workers should not be hindered from fulfilling the purpose of God by receiving too little practical support (1 Timothy 5 v 17-18).
SUMMING UP
We should be Speaking and Acting out of the overflow of God's presence among us!
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At one level this is just a load of waffle, but it seems to have been a good foundation (with a few ammendments) for the last few years of ministry.
Also of interest would be "Philosophy of Ministry 1", which relates to the values behind what we do in the developing world.
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