What is – Core Values ?

Core Values should be a set of believes that influence the way people and groups behave; they communicate what we really believe in.

Core values obviously refers to BLAZE TEAM Values. To ensure that every assembly partner develop in their purpose. They are the values we really focus on and the values we would like to live by. The values that will help us establish our priorities and that will result in spiritual growth as they draw us closer to God. These values need to be developed and groomed on a regular basis. All our partners needs to discover the to what extent these values function in their lives. What are these Values?

Family
Reach
Unmerited Favour
Integrity
Team

These Values will not only help each one of us accelerate in their own growth but also in their leadership abilities. These Values were chosen because of the empahisis we experience as a ministry in Secunda/Trichardt area – South Africa. These are the Values with a short description of each.

Family
Each believer should realize that he is part of a family in different ways. To seperate yourself from your family is not a clever move. God used your whole family history to bring you to a time and a place like this. You are also part of a home where there is a Dad, mom and children. The Word of God makes a clear similarity between the home and ministry in the body of Christ.

1 Tim 3:4-5
4 {He must be} one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?). (NAS)

This also clearly indicates the type of leadership we should have ~ Godly leadership. In today’s families where there is no strong Godly leadership, families will predictably be torn apart by sin resulting in the suffering of the family, church and society.

The Bible also makes a clear statement about the influence you will leave to your family in heritage.

Reach
To stretch out, extend, to grasp by extending a part of the body for example a hand, to stretch after something… this already says a lot. We as children of God have to stretch out and really take hold of God, not keeping anything behind. We have to constantly challenge ourselves to live a Godly life without boundaries.

Php 3:14, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Here at BLAZE TEAM we will challenge you to have an attitude of expansion! All you have to do is allow God to reach into your life and stretch your thoughts, ideas, dreams, who you are in Him, your calling, and the truth you believe in. Why stay stagnant, why not have a violent outburst of passion?

One of the means we have available for you in stretching yourself and reaching out is to go over the borders of the country. We have built wonderful relationships in Swaziland and God has challenged our way of doing and thinking every time we visit Swaziland. So, get your passport ready and join us!

Unmerited Favour
We’ve been taught that grace is God’s unmerited favor that is bestowed upon sinners (Rom. 3:24), it is also defined as undeserved mercy. I have read this a while ago: Grace is so much more than mercy, think of this; mercy just gets the criminal off the hook and out of jail, but grace pays the debt of the criminal and sets him free to enjoy the good life.

God’s salvation is not merited; it’s gift from God, something given freely! Jesus paid our debt of sin and now we are free to enjoy God’s love and to live in His favor.

Prov 8:35,For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. (NAU)

Ask yourself the following: Do you have the attitude to receive from God? Are you living your life based on the true meaning of grace? Are you walking in God’s favor like Abraham did?

Integrity
R.B. Thieme, Jr. gives the following description of integrity: “wholeness of character, consistency of word and deed, uncompromising adherence to a code of values. Christian integrity comes from living by the Word of God.” Integrity has to do with the consistency of what we do with who we claim to be (Peter J. Blackburn). Having read this I just once again realizes that this includes all levels of our lives; home, work, play, church, friends, community…

Titus 2:6-8:
6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;
7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, {with} purity in doctrine, dignified,
8 sound {in} speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. (NAS)

At BLAZE TEAM we want to live a life worthy of the Godly calling we have received. And we want to leave behind an eternal legacy, something that will keep on “living” and growing even when we are gone. Will you leave behind a legacy like Job did?

Job 2:3, The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause. (NAU)

Team
There are a lot of definitions for team, but the description that I like the most was made by Jose Gomez, Jr.:

That’s what makes good movie ~ totally different characters all coming together to join in a marvelous adventure with a victorious ending. I can’t help but think of the team Jesus had in His disciples. Twelve different men, from different backgrounds and occupations ~ all destined to fulfill one mission.

Team has something to do with unity, sharing a load, a bond between people, something that links us together ~ bringing together all our gifts, talents, abilities and forming a productive team of people working together towards a common goal; God’s plan. BLAZE TEAM wants to unite together with God to accomplish His plan, we want to partner with Him, keep our eyes fixed on Him and working together at His command. I cannot think of a better Team Leader than God!

I pray that God will continue to mold, shape and refine us all. I pray for a servant’s heart and a willingness to put others’ interests before our own, and ask God to bring together and sustain a BLAZE TEAM who is committed to loving Him and each other.