Today’s Topic Discovering Parish Core Values Foundation for Living a Life in Christ Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff Joseph Kormos, Moderator

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Thursday, January 27, 2011 Diocese of the Midwest Discovering Parish Values: Foundation for Living a Life in Christ

Objectives What are/not – “core values”? Why they are important Determining parish’s core values Acts 2Scriptural 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? 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 Shared Values! Result: Shared Values!

Qualities of Shared Values Strong feelings of personal effectiveness High levels of loyalty Consensus about key goals Ethical behavior Reduce levels of stress and tension Clarity, Consensus, Intensity In sum: Clarity, Consensus, Intensity

Scriptural Modeling Look up: Acts 2:42-47 Personal corporate Personal models abound; what about corporate ones?

Behavior Value

Behavior Devoted Devoted to Apostles’ teaching… fellowship…and,breaking of bread The The prayersAte togetherSold and gave Value Apostolic teachingfellowshipSacramental lifeLiturgical lifeMore fellowship!!!Concern for poor

Core Values – Acts 2: Behavior: 1.Devoted 1.Devoted to Apostles’ teaching… 2.fellowship…and, 3. breaking of bread The 4. The prayers 5. Ate together 6. Sold and gave Core Value: 1. Apostolic teaching 2. fellowship, socializing 3. Sacramental life 4. Liturgical life 5. More fellowship!!! 6. Concern for poor Spend 5 minutes identifying the core values vis-à-vis corporate behaviors

I.D. Core Values in your Parish Step 1: Involve everyone! Pooled wisdom = trustworthy results Decisions in importance, participation of parishioners buy-in participation, support and buy-in

I.D. CVs in your Parish Step 2: No theory! Real life! Actual core values not theoretical or aspirationalActual 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:Exception: new church plant/mission

Earthlink’s CVs Thoughtful Decision-Making.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.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 PeopleRespect 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: 1 st Meeting: learn, discuss! Facilitator teaches firstFacilitator teaches first Divide into groups – record/writeDivide into groups – record/write Brainstorm, complete statements:Brainstorm, complete statements: We are committed to… We value…

I.D. CVs in your Parish Step 4: 2 nd Meeting: compare, act! Groups meet, compare notesGroups meet, compare notes Consensus on top 10 – 12 pointsConsensus on top 10 – 12 points Develop CV StatementDevelop CV Statement Present to parish for approval, include on web, bulletin, new members’ kit, etc.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 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?