Choosing Your Core Values

There are basically two types of core values:

Foundational Values: They describe who we want to be.

Ministry Values: They describe how we relate to others, how we minister.

Here are some typical foundational values. You can think of others. Most people will have 4-6 foundational values. Try to identify your core values, write them down, prioritize them, and share them with others.

Christ-Centered	Committed	Dependable	Encouraging
Faithful	Friendly	Godly	Grace-Filled
Honest	Humble	Kind	Loving
Nurturing	Patient	Reconciling	Unselfish

In some cases people take what they think are their core values and re-define them to fit their own personal agenda. For example, a lobbyist pays a congressman or senator to moderate a bailout plan and the executives walk away with millions in their pockets. That really doesn't show any integrity as a core value. More like greed as a core value.

In Philippians, the Apostle Paul defines some foundational core values for the Philippians:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, - meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8

The core values defined in this verse are:

Truth: Avoid mistaking error for truth. Make sure you convictions are based on what is factually correct.

Noble or honest: The Greek here translates as “worth of reverence”

Just: Deal justly in your relations

Pure: This is a comprehensive term that means keeping the body clean, washing everything that debases the soul.

Lovely: Translates as “worthy of love”.

Good report: Translates as “are well spoken of”

Now, in the same way, identify your ministry values; that is, how you want to ministry. These all have some type of relational aspect; that is, they exist as you minister.

Accepting	Bible-Based	Creative	Efficient
Enthusiastic	Felt-Need Driven	Organized	Proactive
Quality-Focused	Relational	Results-Oriented	Visionary

In the same way, identify these in your life, prioritize them, and write them down.

A leader of a group or organization has to be sure to define the core values for the group clearly and specifically and makes sure the practices and systems, rewards, and the sharing of information always align with the core values of the group. He or she needs to recognize where the values are honored in the group and share how they are used in decisions. Finally, the leader has to hold those accountable when members do not use the values or violates them.