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 Our Core Values Without core values that are non-negotiable for everyone within an organization, it will eventually move from the primary purpose of its calling, as happened with the Episcopal Church, despite the solid orthodoxy of its historical documents. Western Anglicans wishes to move instead to an incarnational, missional model that will provide life to those who seek to drink from the living water of Jesus Christ. Therefore, our core values are simple for memorization, succinct for clarity, transformational in character, and motivational in intent. Our Core Values Statement is not a marketing piece to attract; it is for internalization by those within the Association. Because we are congregations whose head is King Jesus Christ, our core values reflect His core values . . . for apart from Me you can do nothing. Jn 15:5 Our Core Values Statement is a work in progress. The following draft was presented to the House of Delegates, on October 6, 2007, for a period of review and comments, and is subject to approval by the House of Delegates.
Draft of Values to Consider Life is shaped by the values one carries. Values inform our decisions and motivate our actions. Every community is shaped by their values. Even though each local church is unique within her local context, we believe these values to be foundational on how we operate as a witness to the world for the glory of God. After all, it answers the question, "what do we really care about?" We are passionate about Mission. This value answers the question, "why does the church exist?" The great danger within the church is when the 'body of Christ' exists for themselves. Institutional formation takes place, instead of incarnational formation. Every disciple of Jesus Christ has been custom-made by God to be on mission. Therefore, we must be relevant within our culture (Matthew 28:19, 20; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 16:10; 17:1ff; Col. 3:17) We are passionate about Love. This value is the framework for all mission. This value answers the question, "how does the church identify herself in a broken world?" The great danger within the church is to be 'program-driven', instead of people-focused. The Church is designed to be relational (a community, a communion) and must always communicate God's love to others in word and deed (Matthew 22:37,38; John 13:34-35;15:12-17; 17:26; Acts 2:43-47; I Cor. 13:1ff; I John 4:19). We are passionate about Life. This value is the very heart of our calling. This value answers the question, "how must the church prioritize?" All human beings are created in the image of God and therefore, unceasing spiritual beings. From conception to end of life, all people must be treated with God-given dignity. Because we value life, we know that 'eternal life' is found only in God through Jesus Christ (John 6:35-40; 8:12; 10:10; 17:3). With Christ, we can experience the transforming power of the Gospel through the indwelling Spirit for everyday living (John 5:24; 10:10; 11:25-26; Romans 1:16-17; Col. 3; Titus 2:11-14). We are passionate about Truth. This value strikes at the very core of brokenness in our society. Our community joyfully submits to the authority of God's Word revealed in the 66 books of the Old Testament and New Testament and seeks to remain in submission to the Holy Spirit's leading. The Church is empowered and transformed by the Holy Spirit, not controlled or revised by human structure (Psalms 119:11; 160; John 1:14; 8:32,47,51; 14:6;17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; I Tim. 3:15; 2 Tim. 2:15; I John 1:8). We are passionate about Community. This value provides a window to the world how people can live within the Kingdom of God. We recognize that we are not defined by our buildings, but the church is people seeking authenticity before God and each other. Therefore, our community is committed to accountability with each other and before God ordained leadership. We are committed to be a contributing community in that every member is called to ministry and service. Finally, we are committed in becoming reproducible units, whether it is to disciple others and reproduce our churches in other locations (John 17; Acts 2:42; Romans 12; I Cor. 12; Ephesians 4:11-12; I Thess. 1:7,8). We are passionate about Worship. This value enshrines our conviction that "the chief end of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy Him for ever". Our final but greatest value is relationship with God through his unique and only son Jesus Christ. Central to this goal of relationship is the corporate, sacramental worship of the Church following the Anglican prayer book tradition with the 1662 book as a classic cornerstone. It is fitting that our first value is mission because "mission exists because worship doesn't". Establishing communities who gather in the Eucharistic great thanksgiving worship of the Church is the glorious end towards which all our passion for mission is directed. John 17:24 John 4:23, I Peter 4:11, Psalm 122:1. Habbakkuk 2:14 We are passionate about Jesus. This value is our center. All the other goods we are passionate about emanate out from Jesus our center like the spokes of a wheel. Jesus is God. Jesus is man. He is the only son of God and the only means of salvation for women and men. We are sure and clear that it is Jesus alone who atones for sin and restores lost men and women to a life giving relationship with God. So we are devoted to sharing Christ with others because we have first found ourselves called to experience the new life in Him. John 3:16, Colossians 1:13-20, Acts #### Core Values Statement Task Group:
The Rev. Dr. S. Anthony Baron
The Rev. Lawrence Baush
The Rev. Dr. Edmund (Eddie) Gibbs
The Rev. Donald Kroeger
The Rev. Richard Menees |
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