More on Core Values: Part 1

In this first post I will give a few brief comments on Core Values and Family. I’ve written this as I’ve experienced it and as God is opening it up for me. I’m a researcher at heart, so you will find a lot if definitions and Scripture … it is usually the best place for me to start J

As mentioned in previous posts, Values are: Un-compromisable, undefeatable truths that drive and direct behavior, it’s motivational, explaining to us why we do things, it’s restrictive and placing boundaries around our behavior. Christian values help us establish our priorities and result in spiritual growth as they draw us closer to God. Jon Oral Nash gave this beautiful description of values: “something that is important to me, something which is important enough to find consistent expression in the choices I make or that which is translated into lifestyle and action.”

Core Values should thus be a set of beliefs that influence the way people and groups behave, they should be the “soul” of an organization. They communicate what we really believe in and they influence our behavior. Core values also provide continuity when an organization goes through change or crisis and also help people to make tough decisions. I have seen so many churches go through crises and I do believe that one of the things that kept them together was their deep rooted core values.

BLAZE TEAM’s Core Values forms the acronym FRUIT: Family, Reach, Unmerited favor, Integrity and Team.

Like Bernard already mentioned in previous posts, “these values will not only help each one of us accelerate in their own growth but also in their leadership abilities.” These values deal with the basics of our relationship with God, the Body of Christ, other people, our family and our community. The acronym FRUIT did not happen by accident, God has been challenging our standards for the last year. These words manage to come around again and again:

Woe to the people who call good evil and evil good. There is gross perversion in the land and deception at every turn. But you, My people, do not give yourselves to perversion and deception. Seek truth in every circumstance and stand for what is pure and undefiled. Raise the bar, set a standard, rise up to the next level of righteousness and integrity. You are a people called by My name, says the Lord. Live a life worthy of your calling.

John 15: 4-8: 4″Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.5″I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.6″If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.7″If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.8″By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”(NKJ)

The fruit we bear is such an important part of the standards been challenged and when we allow core values to become a lifestyle and action we will see a definite result in the type of fruit we bear. And then you and your family’s life will mature and you will develop in your purpose.

FAMILY:

I think all of us know that families are the source of our greatest joy and our greatest sorrows … I also know that the ideal family stick with us through thick and thin. There’s an old saying: “There’s nothing like a good family when you’re really up a tree.”

At BLAZE TEAM we would like to have healthy, balanced and God fearing families. In His Word God has shown us His intentions for the family. He gave the Israelites His expectation before they went into a pagan land with a godless culture that was not very family-friendly. And today I can still see the resemblance in the environment we live in:

Deut 6:1-9, “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2″that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3″Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you–’ a land flowing with milk and honey.’ 4″Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5″You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6″And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7″You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8″You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9″You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”(NKJ)

God also gave us clear instructions in 1 Tim 3:4-5, “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5”(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);”(NKJ)

This also 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 family, church and society.

How can God entrust you with His church if you cannot lead and manage your own family well?

My next post will be on Reach and Unmerited Favor.

 

Peace