Today’s Topic
Discovering Parish Core Values
Foundation for Living a Life in Christ
Joseph Kormos,
Moderator
Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff
Registrant Profile
Parish
Council
33%
Parish Size
30
27
Clergy
28%
25
Interested
layperson
39%
20
15
10
13
10
8
Roles of Attendees
3
5
0
1 to 50
51 to 100 101 to 150 151 to 200
> 200
Yes
32%
Specific Renewal Effort?
Yes
Don't
Know
31%
9
Planning Stage
11
Ongoing Informal
18
Don't Know
9
No
15
0
5
10
15
20
No
37%
Written Mission Statement?
Discovering
Parish Values:
Foundation for Living
a Life in Christ
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Diocese of the Midwest
Objectives
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What are/not – “core values”?
Why they are important
Determining parish’s core values
Scriptural models: Acts 2
Relating personal core values to
parish core values
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
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
Core Values Are:
• Consistent
• Passionate
• Scriptural
• Distinctive
Core Values Do:
• Determine priorities
• Influence decisions
• Drive ministry
• Clearly shown by parish’s behavior
Core Values Are NOT . . .
• Statements of faith/belief/theology
• Scriptural purpose statement
• Favorite programs
• Strategies
Why are Values Important?
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Provide foundation
Well-defined target
Aid in averting conflict
Provides spiritual authority
Answers why we do what we do
Provide the courage for risk taking
Core Values & Ministry Success
• Encourage commitment, enthusiasm,
and effort
• Provide incentive
• Promote innovation, risk-taking
• Facilitate better communication,
decision-making and evaluation
What is the Most Accurate
Indicator of Your Values?
Your
!
How you
&
!
What is the Most Accurate
Indicator of Your Values?
Your behavior !
How you spend your
&
spend your
More Key Questions to
Determine Your Core Values
What stirs you to
action?
What do you want your
church to be known
for?
What are you
passionate about?
What about Competing Values?
Step 1: Get members together
Step 2: Articulate personal values
Step 3: Achieve consensus on core
values to improve unity and
progress of parish
Result: Shared Values!
Qualities of Shared Values
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Strong feelings of personal effectiveness
High levels of loyalty
Consensus about key goals
Ethical behavior
Reduce levels of stress and tension
In sum: Clarity, Consensus, Intensity
Scriptural Modeling
Personal models abound;
what about corporate
ones?
Look up:
Acts 2:42-47
Behavior
Value
Behavior
Value
Devoted to Apostles’
teaching…
Apostolic teaching
fellowship…and,
fellowship
breaking of bread
Sacramental life
The prayers
Liturgical life
Ate together
More fellowship!!!
Sold and gave
Concern for poor
I.D. Core Values in your Parish
Step 1: Involve everyone!
• Pooled wisdom = trustworthy results
• Decisions
in importance,
participation of parishioners
•
participation,
support and
buy-in
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
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.
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.
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
I.D. CVs in your Parish
Step 3: 1st Meeting: learn, discuss!
• Facilitator teaches first
• Divide into groups – record/write
• Brainstorm, complete statements:
We are committed to…
We value…
I.D. CVs in your Parish
Step 4: 2nd Meeting: compare, act!
• Groups meet, compare notes
• Consensus on top 10 – 12 points
• Develop CV Statement
• Present to parish for approval, include
on web, bulletin, new members’ kit,
etc.
Action Point: Acts 2:42-45
Spend time post-webinar
prayerfully determining
to
values for your church
“Culture takes a long time to create,
even longer to change”
Questions to Ask
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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…
Thank You!
Questions?