Our
Values
In
Jesus becoming distinctive, through Jesus making a difference
'What
do you want your family to be like?'
That
was the opening question on one parenting course, and most found
it quite a challenge! Each set of parents ended up drawing a family
shield with symbols that represented what they were hoping for.
Of course, what they drew were pictures of what they hoped their
family would be seen to be like, so, for example, there
were pictures of people playing games together, hugs between parents
and children, and all of them sat round a table at a meal.
Asking
ourselves that question before God as a church is just as challenging
and exciting. Answering it calls for listening to God and imagination.
The leadership has been trying to begin the process and we've
summed up our answers into the 9 Values you'll find here. But
just like with the family shield, however deeply held our beliefs
and dreams, we need to ask what activities and behaviours make
them real to us and visible to others?
Jesus
observed, where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also. He was speaking at the time about heavenly treasure
being more secure than earthly riches, but the truth of his words
has wider meaning as well. When someone walks into our church,
or looks at what we do, or starts chatting with one of us, they
quickly get an impression about our heart-felt desires; what we
treasure.
Our
values come from what God is calling us to be at this time and
in this place. All of them have a basis in scripture and Jesus'
teaching. Some will be well established here and others expose
heated differences.
Despite
this, our values must become shared if we are to be fruitful together
as a church and as individuals. If we share a clear view of what
we are about, we can work together, delegate and trust one another.
We can discern what to affirm, stop and begin. We can also work
together on how best to do things.
Click
on each value to read an expanded statement about each, and to
download the sermon notes.
