Today’s Topic Discovering Parish Core Values - PowerPoint Presentation

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Today’s Topic

Discovering Parish Core ValuesFoundation for Living a Life in Christ

Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff

Joseph Kormos,

Moderator

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Registrant Profile

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Thursday, January 27, 2011

Diocese of the Midwest

Discovering

Parish Values:

Foundation for Living

a Life in Christ

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Objectives

What are/not – “core values”?Why they are importantDetermining parish’s core valuesScriptural models:

Acts 2Relating personal core values to parish core values

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Outside and Inside

“A lot has been written lately about the church and culture; most of it, however, refers to the culture around a church. Just as important is the culture within a church, the shared attitudes, values, and beliefs that define a church and shape its practices.” – Angie Ward, Christianity Today

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Defining Core Values

Core values are

consistent

, passionate

, Scriptural

,

distinctive

convictions

that

determine our priorities

,

influence our decisions

,

drive our ministry

and are

demonstrated by our behavior

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Core Values Are:

Consistent

PassionateScriptural

Distinctive

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Core Values Do:

Determine priorities

Influence decisionsDrive ministry

Clearly shown by parish’s behavior

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Core Values Are NOT . . .

Statements of faith/belief/theology

Scriptural purpose statementFavorite programs

Strategies

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Why are Values Important?

Provide foundationWell-defined targetAid in averting conflictProvides spiritual authorityAnswers why we do what we do

Provide the courage for risk taking

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Core Values & Ministry Success

Encourage commitment, enthusiasm, and effortProvide incentivePromote innovation, risk-takingFacilitate better communication, decision-making and evaluation

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What is the Most Accurate Indicator of Your Values?

Your !How you &

!

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What is the Most Accurate Indicator of Your Values?

Your behavior !How you spend your

& spend your

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More Key Questions to Determine Your Core Values

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What about Competing Values?

Step 1: Get members together

Step 2: Articulate personal valuesStep 3: Achieve consensus on core values to improve unity and progress of parish

Result:

Shared Values!

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Qualities of Shared Values

Strong feelings of personal effectivenessHigh levels of loyaltyConsensus about key goalsEthical behaviorReduce levels of stress and tension

In sum: Clarity, Consensus, Intensity

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Scriptural Modeling

Look up:

Acts 2:42-47

Personal

models abound; what about

corporate

ones?

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Core Values – Acts 2: 42-47

Behavior:Devoted to Apostles’ teaching…

fellowship…and, breaking of bread The

prayers Ate together

Sold and gave

Core Value:

Apostolic teaching

fellowship, socializing

Sacramental life

Liturgical life

More fellowship!!!

Concern for poor

Spend 5 minutes identifying the core values vis-à-vis corporate behaviors

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I.D. Core Values in your Parish

Step 1: Involve everyone!Pooled wisdom = trustworthy resultsDecisions in importance, participation of parishioners participation, support and

buy-in

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I.D. CVs in your Parish

Step 2: No theory! Real life!Actual core values (those we actually

use), not theoretical or aspirational (those we say

we use)Look for CVs that have guided the church through her history

Exception: new church plant/mission

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Earthlink’s CVs

Thoughtful Decision-Making. We make informed decisions and align ourselves around successful implementation. We collect data, analyze facts, and consider options before making decisions. Then we focus on execution and measuring results to ensure our actions remain rooted in sound judgment.

Innovation. The best way to have one great idea is to start with a lot of ideas. So we make a habit of asking, “Is there a better way?” Good business people challenge conventional thinking and offer new ideas.

Respect for People. We believe that individuals who are treated with respect and given responsibility respond by giving their best. We treat others as we want to be treated and value a positive work/life balance.

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One church’s CVs

Togetherness: We believe that life is done best when experienced together, learning, growing, celebrating, and spending time with one another. Love Wins: Our motivation for serving God and His church is love.  We don't serve out of guilt or obligation.  Love drives us to passionately serve God.

Others: We must become passionate about reaching people through relationships...We believe this is best done through relationships with the un-churched. We look for every opportunity to get involved and be a presence in the community. Welcoming: We realize that everyone is at a different place in their spiritual journey. God has not called us to judge others, but accept them and welcome them. Jesus modeled this during his earthly ministry.

Transformation: God is not just interested in our conversion, but in our transformation.  We believe we were created to live deeply with one another, to carry each other’s burdens and share our possessions, to pray for and confess our sins to each other, to suffer and celebrate together. Transformation happens best in community.

Shaped To Serve: God deliberately shaped and formed you to serve him in a way that makes your ministry unique.  God expects every believer to get involved in ministry and find an area to serve.  This builds the local church as well as those who serve.

Investing In the Next Generation:

We believe that we have a responsibility to invest in the lives of both kids and youth.  They are the future leaders of the church.

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CVs Evaluation

As an Orthodox Christian community, we are committed to: 

Live a life of worship and prayer rooted in the sacramental and liturgical tradition of the Church

Nurturing the faithful through teaching, preaching and study

Raising our children and youth to love and serve Christ

Striving to live according to the moral vision of the Church

Encouraging and enabling one another in discipleship and commitment to Christ and His Church through small groups

Providing pastoral care and guidance at all stages of spiritual life

Sharing our faith through witness, service, evangelism and mission

Glorifying God through faithful stewardship

Welcoming all people into our community life

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I.D. CVs in your Parish

Step 3: 1

st Meeting: learn, discuss!Facilitator teaches first

Divide into groups – record/write

Brainstorm, complete statements:We are committed to…

We value…

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I.D. CVs in your Parish

Step 4: 2

nd Meeting: compare, act!

Groups meet, compare notesConsensus on top 10 – 12 points

Develop CV Statement

Present to parish for approval, include on web, bulletin, new members’ kit, etc.

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Action Point:

Acts 2:42-45

Spend time post-webinar prayerfully determining

tovalues for your church

“Culture takes a long time to create, even longer to change”

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Questions to Ask

Why…why…why…Current statements valid?Leadership structure and authority?Are personal values overwhelming?History?Sacred cows?Show me the money!

What is God saying…to me…to us…

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Thank You!Questions?