In the midst of our visioning process, we have now reached the stage where we are affirming our values as a church. This is truly one of the things that sets churches apart from each other. I think if you go to a church you will clearly and quickly find out the things that they value.
For example. I once attended a church that really valued the production value of Sunday morning worship. They not only taped the service for their tape ministry, but also broadcast the service on TV. Because of this value things were done with lighting and how the service was conducted that did not necessarily have a good affect on those actually in attendance. I can remember one particular service where there were these powerful flood lights shining into the congregation that really made it hard to see. I talked to the lights guy afterward and he said the camera guys were loving those lights because they could get such a better recording, but that they wouldn’t be able to continue it because too many people complained. This also affected where you could stand when you preached, how you interacted with the congregation and various other parts of the service. The church valued its outreach through video (not casting judgment on this value, just using it for illustrative purposes) and this was clear when you attended worship there.
The last church I served, Christ UMC, really valued excellence in worship. I was extraordinarily shaped by leading four worship services a week in a place where each part of the service was done with theological intent, careful planning, and striving for excellence. This was a church that had three distinct types of worship service and a lot of staff devoted to producing them. Worship is a clear value at Christ Church.
All churches share in common values (hopefully) that include things like hospitality, worship, serving others, Scripture, prayer, and community. This list can go on and on. But what are the unique values of your church, things that are emphasized above others because of your DNA, location, staff and history? I would love to hear some examples and how they are demonstrated as we determine what we value most here at Duneland Community Church.
November 4, 2009 at 3:05 pm
It is all about people…God values people and calls us to do the same.
Vineyard’s 5 cores values are being impressed on me these days. They are: (1) Theology and Practice of the Kingdom of God (2) Experiencing God (3) Reconciling community (4) Compassionate ministry (5) Culturally relevant mission. I am learning more and more about how these values are shaping the churches. You may read lots at: http://www.vineyardusa.org/site/about/article/vineyards-core-values
Some things I see happening that impress the values of the church are: leaders intentionally allowing space during worship for the Holy Spirit to minister to people, encouraging people to take risks, letting everybody engage in ministry (they say…everybody gets to play), embracing creative people, looking for potential in every person, embracing really broken, jacked up people, freedom in worship, encouraging the development of giftedness for the benefit of others, sharing the love of God beyond the gathered community of believers and moving into the world in very practical ways….to name a few.
November 5, 2009 at 8:45 am
I like the value of being a reconciling community especially. That is a great way of looking at the role of the church. The Kingdom Theology is an intriguing one, I wonder how to express that in a local church context. I am going to mull over that one.
I like the phrase “everybody gets to play”, that is a great way of articulating a value of everyone finding a place to participate. That is something that would stick with people.
November 5, 2009 at 11:43 am
Read some Ladd and a little Wimber. You will like.