Ministry Values
My ministry values are a direct reflection of my Theological Commitments and Philosophy of Ministry. While I have written a number of Vision/Mission/Values statements for local churches, the following are the values that guide me in every situation.
Pursuing God
Life and ministry has little meaning outside of a growing relationship with God. The purpose of our lives is to glorify God and enjoy him for ever. This life is a preparation for eternity, and primarily an eternal worship of God. Nothing is more important than knowing God, which is eternal life. This must be the minister's first priority, and then to help others to know God as well.
Growing into the Character of Christ
God's primary purpose for each one of us is to be "conformed to the image of his Son." Growth in into the character of Christ summarizes the meaning of our lives. God leaverages everything in our lives - works all things together - to make us more like Jesus. The meaning of what we experience in life is to be seen primarily in this light. Everything else is temporary.
The Authority of God's Word
We serve a God who has faithfully revealed himself to humanity in his Living Word and Written Word. Jesus Christ is the truly perfect and complete revelation of God, and we see Jesus primarily in the Written Word, the Bible. Because all scripture is inspired by God, it is authoritative. Submiting to the authority of scripture is the primary means for aligning our lives with God's purpose and good pleasure. Having a life filled with God's Word sets us free to be all God has purposed us to be.
Discipling Disciplers
As a Pastor-Teacher, coming under the "yoke" of Christ as a lifelong learner is of first importance. Finding relational ways to empower others to "learn of him" is more important than all my preaching and teaching. "Making disciples" is the essence of our mission. To be reproducible, disciples must also be taught how to disciple others. This is the key to fulfilling our kingdom mandate.
Authentic Community
Reflecting on the relational mystery of the Trinity, we understand that we have been created for community. Our experience of community begins as we join the eternal community of the Godhead. Authentic community then flows out in all directions. Pursuing experiences of authentic community with covenant brothers and sisters is essential if we are to know God and grow into the character of Christ. We are transformed and spiritually formed primarily in community.
The Kingdom and The Church
Jesus came proclaiming that with his coming, the kingdom of God had come. The "kingdom" is simply the "domain of the king." The kingdom of God is everywhere God is ruling as king and includes all those living under the rule of God. The "church" is the new covenant kingdom community. The church is the human instrument of the kingdom, intended by God to both express the nature of the kingdom and extend its influence. A local church has the privilege of representing the rule of God in powerful and redemptive ways in real human communities, declaring and demonstrating the radical difference life can be under the Lordship of Christ.
The Mission of God
The church is a covenant worshipping community on a mission. Jesus came from heaven on a mission, and before returning to the right hand of the Father, commissioned his disciples to continue that mission until his return. God is at work everywhere in the world, and it is the privilege of disciples and congregations to join him in that mission. Local churches have the potential under God to be instruments of redemption and transformation in their communities as they faithfully join God on his mission in the world.