Calvary Independent's Core Values

Core values are the fundamental beliefs of a person or organization. These guiding principles dictate behavior and can help people understand the difference between right and wrong. Core values also help companies to determine if they are on the right path and fulfilling their goals by creating an unwavering guide. There are many different types of core values in the world, depending upon the context.

Often, when you hear someone discuss why they fell in love with their other half, they will mention that they have the same values. In this case, they are often talking about core values, or internal beliefs that dictate how life should be lived.

Some examples of core values people might have about life include the following:

A belief, or lack thereof, in God or an affiliation with a religious/spiritual institution

A belief in being a good steward of resources and in exercising frugality

A belief that family is of fundamental importance

A belief that honesty is always the best policy and that trust has to be earned

A belief in maintaining a healthy work/life balance

Advanced Strategic Planning: A 21st-Century Model for Church and Ministry Leaders The Importance of Values

Just as personal values speak to what is most important in our lives, so a congregation’s values speak to what is most important in the church’s life.

It is important that I reinforce the call of Jesus to follow and be sent out, the proclamation of the Kingdom of God, and the sincere love that comes from basking in the mercies of God.

Our passion as believers and the core values that proceed must always fall under The call, The vision, and the mission.

Advanced Strategic Planning: A 21st-Century Model for Church and Ministry Leaders Chapter 6: Discovering Core Values: Why We Do What We Do

What some do not understand is that churches, like people, have a soul—a collective soul.1 Congregational or corporate soul is at the very heart of the organization. It is a leadership concept that embraces the church’s unique values. What sets successful congregations apart is their discovering and tapping into that soul, making contact at its deepest levels.

How Can we identify Core Values in Scripture?

Another heading: Revealed in the Jerusalem Church

Acts 2:42–47 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

What core values are evident in these verses?

They devoted themselves to: Apostles, teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer

Awe is a driving factor in our world. Stores package items to catch attention. Firework displays promise something bigger than the year before.

They were together, they had everything in common

They sold property and possessions to give to the needy

They broke bread and ate together

With glad and sincere hearts - praising God

reverence ⇔ fear n. — a feeling of profound respect for someone or something, often a deity, conceived of as fear.

Advanced Strategic Planning: A 21st-Century Model for Church and Ministry Leaders Communicate What Is Important

Core values signal a ministry’s bottom line. They communicate what really matters. Clearly articulated values drive a stake in the ground that announces to all, “This is what we stand for; this is what we are all about; this is who we are; this is what we can and cannot do for you.”

Jesus Core Values resulted in no place to lay His head

Luke 9:58 NIV

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Ministries and Programs Assist in Identifying Core Values

It is said that every church has a soul. The soul would represent the life and activity of a local church. The interests of the congregants along with their God-given gifts would reveal the heart and soul of the church.

At the same time it is said that every church has a life cycle. The life cycle of a church is determined by it’s members. Individual’s passions become the passions of the church. The church begins to take on the character of the congregants and leaders.

For a church to get a new lease on life it is important to identify the passions of the members that lead to identifying core values.

For example: Fombelle’s Service set out to make a reputation on providing the best service they could in the shortest amount of time to their customers. Many and I mean many Monday mornings would promote an atmosphere of frustration. Service had remained idle on Saturday and Sunday. Monday mornings and the unfinished work wasn’t in line with their values. Dad would work late nights to finish repairs before Saturday came when possible.

Gaining a New Lease on Life

another heading: The importance of What we are doing

In order for Calvary to get a new lease on life Calvary needs to identify passions and core values that are aligned with it’s current membership role.

That means we share and listen to one another.

It will probably require some level of organization and compromise. By compromise I mean that we plan ministries with balance and purpose.

For example, next year lets make the church building and members a priority. Let’s pay attention to personal and family needs in Christian Education

In 2020 lets make New Castle a priority. Let’s put a float in a parade, attend a prayer vigil, and make a stand for life and the unborn!

In 2021 lets make missions a priority. Plan a short-term mission trip

Maybe we need to think in 6 month cycles.

Here are some answers given when asked what some of Calvary’s organization and programs reveal about it’s core values.

First, I gave them a list: Core Values are evident in programs and ministries. What do you think the following reveal about core values in Calvary Independent Church?

• Awana  • Boards/Administration  • Committees  • Fellowship/Discipleship  • Midweek Service  • Missions  • Shoebox (Samaritan’s Purse)   • Sunday Morning Worship Service including nurseries and Children's programs  • Sunday School for all ages  • Youth Programs

Here are some of their answers.

Something for everyone

A way to find your passion or gift

We value proper education, prayer and a focus on our children

We are service oriented backed by christian values

Spend time with fellow believers and growing closer to God

We are focused on growing God’s people through missions and children by spreading the Gospel

Responses from the Elders when asked, apart from Calvary’s building and location how would you minister the gospel in New Castle?

Be more visible in the downtown area

meet needs within our community

Attend relay for life and prayer vigils

I suppose it goes without saying; but, what we do as a church provides insight into our core values.

Some believers will value Christian Education.

Others value missions

While others value worship through music.

Advanced Strategic Planning: A 21st-Century Model for Church and Ministry Leaders Chapter 6: Discovering Core Values: Why We Do What We Do

Discovering your values is the basis for knowing and understanding your identity, because they are at the core of the church’s culture.

Malphurs, A. (2013). Advanced Strategic Planning: A 21st-Century Model for Church and Ministry Leaders (Third edition, p. 146). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Jerusalem Church Models Core Values at the point of Impact

Acts 6:1–7 NIV

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

In the problematic situation of Acts 6:1–7, the Jerusalem church models the values impact. The Twelve faced a potential church split over an accusation of discrimination. The Grecian Jews accused the Hebraic Jews of neglecting their widows in the daily disbursement of food. Instead of taking valuable time to wait on these widows, the Twelve assigned this responsibility to seven highly qualified people and gave their attention to the higher-value ministries of prayer and the ministry of the Word.

The Biblical call to follow Christ is as clear as is preaching His coming kingdom.

The Bible envisions a new life in a new kingdom (the Kingdom of God).

Closely connected to the call is the sincere mission fueled by the mercy of God

Core values are the invisible motivators that move people toward meaningful ministry.

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus gave his disciples the mandate to make disciples. Who were they to disciple? All (everyone). How were they to make disciples? immerse them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded.

Paul and Barnabas but primarily Paul provides God’s movement from the pentecostal church format to local churches uniquely qualified to reach their communities. Organization included identifying God given gifts to believers that would preach a unified gospel that was evident in a well rounded and coordinated church.

Today we are feeling the pressure of a changing church.

There is a saying that you cannot get blood out of a turnip.

The phrase, “you can’t get blood from a turnip,” is one of the more colorful idioms in the English language. The meaning of the saying is that it’s impossible to produce a desired item or outcome from an object or situation that could not, in any case, provide it. In other words, this phrase is used to show that where potential doesn’t exist, none can be realized.

YOU CAN'T GET BLOOD OUT OF A STONE - "The stone here is a metaphor for a person who simply does not have (or would never give up) what is being sought - usually money. Over the centuries, various objects, such as a stone, a turnip, and even a wall, have been used in versions of the saying. The earliest known rendering, which appeared in John Lydgate's 'Minor Poems' (c 1435), mentioned marble - 'Harde to likke hony (honey) out of a marbil stoon.'.Charles Dickens first rendered the saying as 'Blood cannot be obtained from a stone,' in 'David Copperfield' and then recorded the exact wording of the modern version in 'Our Mutual Friend' ." From "Wise Words and Wives' Tales: The Origins, Meanings and Time-Honored Wisdom of Proverbs and Folk Sayings Olde and New" by Stuart Flexner and Doris Flexner (Avon Books, New York, 1993).

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