What is a Core Value? It is referred to as core beliefs Core values identify the deepest, most consistent and passionate beliefs that drive us as a ministry. Core values drive our policies and decision making. Core values dominate our policies and our decision making Core values define and govern our priorities. Core values form the foundation on which we work and conduct ourselves. Core values are constant. Core values are the basic elements of how we go about our work. Core values are the practices we use(or should be using)every day in everything we do. THE IMPORTANCE OF CORE VALUES Why are an organization s core values important? Values determine a church s ministry distinctiveness. No two ministries are alike. Some churches focus on biblical preaching and teaching, others on evangelism, and still others on counseling or the family. This is why it is acceptable to start churches even when there are other churches nearby. Different churches reach different people. The determiner is the essential values. Values communicate what s important. Values signal your ministry s bottom line and make it clear what you believe is God s heart for your church. If a core value is evangelism, make it known Values inspire people to action. The shared beliefs of leaders and followers are the motivators that energize people to take action. Values infuse ministry with meaning. They touch people at a deeper level that provides a sense of cause and brings significance to their lives. Values shape a ministry s character. Values are the qualities that make up an organization s character. This character determines how an organization conducts its ministry. Values contribute to ministry success. An organization s ingrained ownership and understanding of its core beliefs make it possible for its people to be successful in ministry. Values affect the church s overall behavior. Values shape the entire organization, determine the ministry s direction, and dictate every decision you make and every dollar you spend. Values dictate people s personal involvement in the church. Church planters can spare themselves and their churches grief by communicating their values to all who are considering becoming a part of the church. Communicate the values early in the life of the church and repeatedly throughout the life of the church. Encourage those with similar values to join. (I call this values alignment or a ministry match.) Encourage those with different values to look for a church that is more in line with their values.
Values help people embrace positive change. Changes in American society are having an impact on churches. Some of the changes have been good and some bad. The key question is: Does this change agree with or contradict the ministry s core values? Reject that which contradicts, and accept that which agrees. Defining Core Values Core values are biblical. The true test of a credo or values statement is: Does it square with Scripture? The statement doesn t have to be found in the Bible, but it shouldn t contradict the Bible. Core values are core or foundational beliefs. People use various synonyms for values: precepts, principles, tenets, standards, or assumptions. (Some of these terms may not equate with values.) Values are your primary or core beliefs. A belief is a conviction or opinion you hold to be true based on limited evidence or proof. Core values are constant. Core values change very slowly. Change usually takes from 2 to 4 years. This is why it is hard to revitalize an established church. It takes time to change people s values. Consequently, it s critical that you begin with the right values. Core values are passionate. Vision is a seeing word; passion is a feeling word. Core values touch the heart and elicit strong emotions. They stir feelings that can move people to biblical, Christ-honoring ministry. Core Values drive the ministry. Values are the deeply ingrained drivers behind the behavior of a church. This includes the decisions made, money spent, risks taken, problems solved, goals set, and priorities determined. FBBC Core Values Word of God Connect Discipleship Serve Evangelism Generous Living TGN (This Generation Now)
What is a Disciple? 2 Tim.2:2 1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. A disciple is a follower of Jesus. The mission of First Bible Baptist Church is to make disciples who Love God, Love People, Serve Others and Tell Everyone. In what follows you will be introduced to FBBC's path to discipleship. Discipleship, leading people to follow Jesus, is central to the mission of FBBC. The Importance of Discipleship Founded by Jesus to carry on the mission in His absence. Personally reinforces the ministry of the Word. Translates biblical truth into practical living. Develops character qualities in the Christians life. It is not limited to Sunday only. Not a program, but trains Christians to love & obey Jesus. Protects Christians from falling away. Provides accountability and fellowship. Encourages those who disciple others. Matures and perfects the saints. Nurtures our love for one another. Helps to provide Godly counsel. Encourages the discipler to be an example. Helps to provide an incentive for holiness.
The Path of Discipleship Step 1: Sunday Worship The path to discipleship begins with worship and the Word. The first pillar of our Mission Statement, Love God, is addressed in FBBC s corporate worship. Our corporate worship almost always includes worship through music, giving, hearing the preaching and teaching of God s word, and encouraging one another in Christ. We seek and know God through the word and prayer, and praise and honor God in our worship and obedience. We encourage all who participate with FBBC to make Sunday morning worship their initial and highest priority. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18) The goal of the disciple is to be conformed to the image of Christ, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14, 17) Step 2: Life Groups The path of discipleship continues by knowing God and sharing life. FBBC s path to discipleship continues through FBBC s small group ministry, called Life Groups. Life Groups are designed to accomplish the second pillar of FBBC s mission statement, Love people. Life Groups offer a variety of advantages. Among them are personal interaction and fellowship, an opportunity for additional Bible discussion and prayer, and a more personal environment where one begins to gain a sense of belonging. The topics for discussion are designed to encourage us to a deeper and more personal level of Biblical and Christian maturity. All are encouraged and invited to commit to being a part of the FBBC Life Group community. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one for another. (John 13:35) Step 3: Volunteer The path of discipleship continues by serving others and taking ownership of the mission. At the conversion of Paul the apostle (Acts 9:5-6), Paul asked the Lord two vital questions, Who art thou, Lord? and what wilt though have me to do? The first question is answered in knowing God through the word of God. The second question has to do with what follows faith in Christ, What should I do now? The third pillar of FBBC s Mission Statement is Serve Others. Join us in pursuing the mind of Jesus in relationships by serving others As Christians we are called to be conformed to the image of Christ, and we can do that by willingly and lovingly serving others in the name of the Lord Jesus. Life takes on special meaning through serving others in a cause greater than ourselves. Each of us is gifted, trained, and experienced in ways that can be, by the grace of God, profitable for the Kingdom of God. You are invited to join us in serving others FBBC offers several ways in which we can serve others. This can be done within and without the church: in our community, and in our world. Our fourth Mission Statement pillar, Tell Everyone, is a natural extension of serving others. In our areas of service we seek to pray for, invest in, and invite others to be worshippers of God. There are no unemployment lines at FBBC. There is something for everyone to do.
It is in the doing that we begin to take ownership. FBBC is no longer their church, but it s my church. The mission is no longer their mission, but our mission. For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Step 4: Foundations Discipleship continues through digging deeper in the word and preparing yourself for leadership in the church body. FBBC would encourage anyone at this point in their discipleship journey with FBBC to seek church membership if they have not already done so. As a participating disciple at FBBC it is highly encouraged that maturing disciples come to know the Scriptures more deeply. FBBC is known as a church of the word, and to make this easier, we have established "Foundations" courses. These courses, Big Picture Bible Study and Discipleship Lessons (one-on-one or in small groups) are an appropriate place to start. Both of these options serve to provide a basic foundation of the Bible and core Christian teaching. Qualified pastors along with experienced church leaders make up the teaching corps. FBBC invites you to continue the path of discipleship through church membership, Big Picture Bible studies, and First Things First discipleship lessons. And he gave some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12) Step 5: Servant's Institute The path of discipleship continues as believers grow in grace and knowledge. FBBC has been blessed with a vision from very early in its history to make basic Bible knowledge and discipleship primary in the life of the church. As a result of this vision FBBC s North Star Bible Institute (NSBI) began in 1975. Through NSBI, FBBC pastors and experienced church leaders share additional Biblical and practical experience beyond Sunday morning, to equip disciples for effective Christian service. NSBI is a great place for anyone to further prepare him or herself for effective leadership and service in the church body. It is the goal of the leadership of FBBC that every member participates in the first three steps and completes the fourth and achieves a Foundations diploma at NSBI. Step five is designed for everyone but will be of particular interest to those would like to learn more about the Bible and increase their proficiency in ministering at a teaching and/or leadership level. Membership, completion of Big Picture Bible studies, and First Things First discipleship lessons, plus successful completion of 26 additional credits hours at NSBI (including a practical assignment with the church) earns a person an NSBI Servants diploma. Credits may be achieved through NSBI Life Groups, online instruction, independent studies, or in a classroom setting under the guidance of a NSBI instructor. Credit students in Step five will be assigned an NSBI Guide to help him or her chart and complete a reasonable course of study that will bring the student forward in a timely manner.
Scripture encourages us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed (John 8:31) Step 6: Shepherds The Shepherd s path of NSBI is for women and men who desire to gain the skills necessary for career ministry. Many of NSBI s graduates continue to serve as church leaders in the United States and globally. T he fulfillment of the Shepherd s level grants a Bachelor of Divinity or Graduate of Theology degree. Instruction may be found in NSBI Life Groups, classroom setting, independent studies, or online instruction. Credit students at this step will be assigned one of the pastoral staff or capable leadership for their NSBI Guide. NSBI has graduated over 100 students, many who are faithfully serving the Lord today. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8) And the things that thou has heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)