“THINGS WE HOLD DEAR”  -  (Part II)

“Our Values”

Brian Kenning

14^th February 2010

Values are the moral principles and belief systems that guide the behaviour of individuals, families, churches:

-          We value Christ-Centeredness

-          We value being Spirit-led

-          We value people

 

1.       We value diversity:

Most of us want to be in a church with people who are like us

However it is important that our congregation, leadership, ministries reflect a breadth and diversity of peoples because:

-          That’s the way it will be in heaven

-          We learn about God and life from those who are different

-          Unity with diversity is a key New Testament teaching about church

Defining Scriptures:

§  Ephesians 4:1-16

§  Romans 12:5

§  1 Corinthians 12:27

 

2.      We value Integrity and Openness:

Vulnerability, transparency, openness, honesty are Christ like qualities that are attractive to others

 

3 levels of disclosure (John Ortberg)

i.                    Guarded communication (selective sharing)

ii.                  Everyday authenticity, openness, transparency,

Yes means YES    -    No means NO

iii.                Deep disclosure with a few trusted friends

We should all aspire to everyday authenticity and transparency

Defining Scriptures:                1 John 1:7

 

3.      In worship services, we believe in ‘Structural Informality’….

Services that are planned but flexible….

We recognise:

§  The gift of preaching and teaching

·         Planned, prepared messages

§  The gift of the prophetic word

·         A message or picture

§  The value of faith stories

§  The importance of profiling church ministries, affirming faith in the workplace, sharing needs and opportunities, so all may contribute to our life together

§  The importance of musicians practicing

§  The importance of times of quietness, reflection, application and response

§  The heritage we have received as God’s people

Defining Scriptures:                1 Corinthians 14:31-33

4.      In preaching/teaching we seek to expound the eternal principles of the Bible in ways relevant to today and to call for personal response evidenced by changed lives:

The Bible is a Living Book through which we encounter the Living God, the Living Word, Jesus the Messiah.

We look at content, context, culture to ask:

i.                    What does this mean?

ii.                  What does this mean for me?

Defining Scriptures:                2 Timothy 3:16-17

            Text     →        Life

Life      →        Text

With the goals of Information and Transformation

“On the Road with Jesus”  -  as an example

Questions for personal reflection and group discussion:

1.      What does “diversity” in a church look like to you?

How important is diversity to you – not important, important, very important – why?

How can diversity be encouraged (if you think its important)?

2.      What does integrity and openness in a church look like to you?

Consider the three levels of disclosure and the statement “we should all aspire to everyday authenticity and transparency”.  What obstacles or roadblocks to transparency have you encountered?  What would enable you to be a more transparent person?

What does “walking in the light” (1John 1:7) mean to you?

3.      Preparing for Lent:  Consider what you might take up or let go of for the 40 days of Lent.

< Prev		Next >