Core Values and Purposes
Overview
Every church or network operates from a set of guiding convictions—whether stated or unstated. Clarifying our core values and purposes helps us align our ministries with what God values most and pursue what he has called us to accomplish. Without clarity in these areas, we risk drifting into activity without direction, strategy without conviction, and values without purpose. When our values and purposes are clear, our churches can move forward together in unity, conviction, and faithfulness to Christ.
Core values reflect what we consider most worthy of our desires, thoughts, and efforts. Purposes refer to our intended outcomes and their areas of activity. Our core values dictate our purposes. What are the values and purposes of our network? More specifically, what are God’s values and purposes that he wants us to embrace?
We value Christlike character. Therefore, we are committed to character development.
We value those in need (both Christians and non-Christians). Therefore, we are committed to service.
We value non-Christians. Therefore, we are committed to evangelism.
We value Christians. Therefore, we are committed to discipleship.
Ultimately and most importantly, we value God. Therefore, we are committed to worship.
These are the core values and purposes that help to drive our vision to start, strengthen, and multiply churches.
Core Values and Purposes
Core values reflect what we consider most worthy of our desires, thoughts, and efforts. More specifically, we consistently desire, think about, and act in light of our value system. When we value someone or something, we believe that person or activity is worth our attention, time, and resources. With that in mind, Aubrey Malphurs defines core values as “the constant, passionate, biblical core beliefs that go deep and really, truly empower and guide the ministry” (Advanced Strategic Planning, 153). Core values help us understand why we do what we do, not what we are doing.
Purposes, on the other hand, refer to our intended outcomes and their areas of activity. Like core values, purposes empower and guide our activities, though purposes focus on what we are trying to accomplish and the sphere of our activities. Purposes identify what we want to accomplish and where we are focusing our efforts, not why we are doing the activities.
How are core values and purposes related? Both core values and purposes empower and guide our actions, but core values determine our purposes. More specifically, core values dictate the goals we choose and oftentimes how we pursue them. Whether we are aware of it or not, our value system shapes the entire course of our lives—both individually and collectively. The most meaningful relationships and partnerships emerge when people share common values and purposes.
Aligning Our Values & Purposes
with Jesus’s Values & Purposes
When churches identify their “core values,” they often choose from a long list—sometimes fifty or more potential options such as teamwork, creativity, excellence, generosity, family, community, Scripture, or prayer. Each of these can be helpful—even essential—emphases, but when combined they often create category confusion. Some are virtues, others are work practices, and still others describe how we relate to God. For example, if a church says it values teamwork, innovation, the Word of God, prayer, and families, do those really belong together? The mixture of work commitments, target audiences, and means of grace can blur the focus, making it unclear what Jesus actually calls his people to value and do.
In contrast, the values and purposes described here align with the values and purposes of Jesus himself. They arise from the larger biblical structures that define the church’s mission and motivation. They reflect the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:8) and the shared life of the early believers (Acts 2:42–47; 4:32–37)—devotion to Christlike character, service to those in need, evangelism among unbelievers, discipleship within the body, and worship of God above all. These five areas capture the essential purposes of Jesus’s church and provide a unified framework for faith and practice. If churches shaped their values around his priorities, they would remain focused on what truly matters and multiply ministries that flow from his example and command.
This framework moves us from slogans to structures—from abstract ideals to lived practices that sustain evangelism, discipleship, and worship as ongoing rhythms of life. It connects who we are becoming with what we are doing, ensuring that every aspect of ministry reflects the values and purposes of Jesus. By rooting our efforts in what he prioritizes, we stay aligned with his mission rather than our own preferences. In doing so, we learn to value what he values and pursue what he commands.
The Relationship Between Values, Purposes, and Vision
Our core values reflect who we are and what we prize most deeply. Our purposes describe what we do because of those values. And our vision portrays what it looks like when those values and purposes multiply through a network of churches. In other words:
Values answer why we act.
Purposes answer what we do.
Vision answers where this leads.
When these three work together, the result is a movement that reflects both God’s heart and God’s mission. As we pursue Christlike character, serve those in need, evangelize the lost, disciple believers, and worship God, we are living out the pattern that leads naturally to starting, strengthening, and multiplying churches. Each value fuels its corresponding purpose, and together they propel the mission of Jesus forward in every home, neighborhood, and congregation.
What Are the Core Values and Purposes of Our Network?
Identifying and teaching about core values and purposes is an essential way to align ourselves to what God wants us to value and do as the church. In order to clarify and communicate our values and purposes, we follow this simple pattern below:
“We value (a core value of the universal church). Therefore, we are committed to (a purpose of the universal church).”
It may be tempting to begin with what God wants us to do—whether service, evangelism, or discipleship. But we must never assume or skip over what God wants us to be—Christians who are growing into the likeness of his Son (Rom. 8:29). Growing in Christlike character is foundational for every part of our lives and ministries. Alternatively, the fastest way to damage our families and churches is to neglect the cultivation of Christlike character and prioritize our sinful desires over the teachings of God’s Word.
1. We value Christlike character. Therefore, we are committed to character development.
God values the transformation of his people into the likeness of his Son (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 4:24; 2 Cor. 3:18). This transformation begins in private devotion—when we study Scripture, pray, and respond in repentance and faith—but it matures in the shared life of the church. As we take the Lord’s Supper and share meals, our relationships become the context for growing in character, loving one another, and extending God’s love to the world (Col. 3:12–14; Phil. 2:1–5). Character is not shaped in isolation but in community, where truth and grace work together to form us into Christ’s image. The Spirit of God empowers us to resist sin and to grow in humility, endurance, and love in both private and public life (Rom. 12:1–2; Gal. 5:22–23; Titus 2:11–12).
How we pursue character development
Private habits: We read Scripture, pray, and confess our sins regularly, asking God to expose sin and strengthen holiness (Ps. 139:23–24; John 15:4–5; James 1:22–25; 1 John 1:9).
Public habits: We cultivate transparent community—taking the Lord’s Supper, studying the Word, praying together, and ministering to one another in love (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 10:16–17; Gal. 6:1–2; Heb. 10:24–25).
Ongoing growth, particularly through suffering: We depend on the Spirit’s power as he renews us in Christ’s image and refines our character through trials (Rom. 5:3–5; 8:28–29; Col. 3:10; Phil. 2:12–13; James 1:2–4; 1 Pet. 1:6–7).
2. We value those in need (both Christians and non-Christians). Therefore, we are committed to service.
God’s compassion compels us to care for the physical and spiritual needs of others (Luke 6:27–36; Gal. 6:9–10). The early church modeled this mercy by sharing possessions, caring for widows and orphans, and meeting practical needs within and beyond the community of faith (Acts 4:32–35; James 1:27). Service is not a program but a posture of love that flows from the heart of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45; John 13:12–15). When we serve both believers and unbelievers, we reflect the generosity of God himself and make visible the compassion of Christ, who strengthens us to give freely as we have received (Matt. 10:8; 2 Cor. 8:9).
How we pursue service
We ask God to reveal needs in our churches, neighborhoods, and cities (Phil. 2:4; Matt. 25:35–36).
We practice hospitality and generosity as tangible expressions of grace (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:16; 1 Pet. 4:9–10).
We use our gifts and resources to strengthen the church and bless others (1 Pet. 4:10–11; Acts 20:35).
We serve with the strength God provides so that he is glorified through Jesus Christ (Col. 3:23–24).
3. We value non-Christians. Therefore, we are committed to evangelism.
Evangelism is the proclamation of the gospel—the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1–4). It is God’s message, entrusted to his people, announcing reconciliation and forgiveness through Christ alone (2 Cor. 5:18–21; Rom. 1:16). God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:3–4), and he uses his church as the means to make that truth known. In evangelism, we call people to repent and believe, trusting in Jesus as Savior and Lord (Acts 2:38; 17:30–31). This mission is not confined to a few but shared by all believers as we live and speak as witnesses of God’s saving grace.
How we pursue evangelism
We pray for boldness, compassion, and clarity to proclaim the gospel (Eph. 6:18–20; Col. 4:3–6).
We explain the gospel clearly, emphasizing who Jesus is, what he has done, and how people must respond in faith (Acts 8:35; Rom. 10:9–10).
We invite unbelievers into relationships and gatherings where they can hear and see the gospel lived out (Luke 19:10; John 1:45–46).
We share our faith with gentleness and respect, trusting the Spirit to bring conviction and life (1 Pet. 3:15; John 16:8).
We train others to proclaim Christ and make disciples in their own networks (Matt. 4:19; 2 Tim. 2:2).
4. We value believers. Therefore, we are committed to discipleship.
God calls every believer to follow Jesus and to help others do the same (Matt. 28:18–20). Discipleship means learning to obey everything Jesus commanded—growing in maturity personally and helping others walk in that same obedience. The early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42–47)—rhythms that still define the life of the church. Mature men and women are to teach and model godliness for the next generation, showing that discipleship is multi-generational and relational (Titus 2:1–8). Believers are called to draw near to God, hold fast to faith, and not neglect meeting together, because we need one another to persevere and grow (Heb. 10:19–25). Discipleship begins with personal devotion to Christ and deepens in community as believers build one another up in faith and love (Eph. 4:11–16; Col. 1:28–29). As mature believers train others to lead and teach, disciples multiply and the church is strengthened.
How we pursue discipleship
Privately: We grow through Scripture, prayer, repentance, and obedience in daily life (Ps. 1:1–3; John 15:7–8; James 1:22–25).
Publicly: We gather weekly to hear the Word, pray, and take the Lord’s Supper as Christ’s body, encouraging one another toward love and good works (Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:19–25).
Relationally and across generations: We share our lives, teaching and modeling godliness so that faith is passed on from one generation to the next (Rom. 15:14; Col. 3:16; Titus 2:1–8).
Developing leaders: We equip others to lead, teach, and disciple with sound doctrine and faithful example (2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Pet. 5:2–3).
Multiplying churches: As disciples mature, new leaders and gatherings emerge, advancing the gospel locally and globally (Acts 13:1–3; 14:21–23).
5. We value God above all. Therefore, we are committed to worship.
Worship is the ultimate purpose of everything we do. God alone is worthy of our praise, devotion, and obedience (Isa. 48:9–11; Rev. 4:11). True worship flows from hearts transformed by grace and is expressed in every sphere of life (Rom. 12:1–2). When we gather, we worship through Scripture, prayer, singing, and the Lord’s Supper—remembering Jesus’s death and resurrection and anticipating his return (1 Cor. 11:26; Col. 3:16–17). When we scatter, we worship through holy living, faithful work, and acts of love (Eph. 5:8–10; 1 Cor. 10:31). All ministry—service, evangelism, and discipleship—ultimately exists to glorify God and declare his worth.
How we pursue worship
We turn from idols and direct our desires toward God’s supreme worth (Rom. 1:25; 1 John 5:21).
We gather regularly to sing, pray, and remember Christ through the Lord’s Supper (Ps. 100:1–4; Acts 2:46–47).
We serve others and obey God as daily expressions of worship (Matt. 5:16; Col. 3:17).
We long for the day when all creation will confess Jesus Christ as Lord to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:10–11; Rev. 5:12–13).
Living Out Our Values & Purposes
Our values and purposes are not simply statements—they are commitments that shape how we follow Jesus together in every sphere of life. Whether as individuals in private devotion or churches gathered together, we seek to embody these commitments through daily rhythms of character development, service, evangelism, discipleship, and worship. Though many circumstances lie beyond our control, God calls us to live out these values with faithfulness, joy, and endurance in every season.
Living by these convictions requires both private devotion and shared participation—ongoing reflection, mutual accountability, and intentional leadership. Families and churches should regularly revisit these five values, asking how they are being expressed in personal lives and gathered worship. Leaders model, teach, and celebrate these priorities publicly so that the culture of our communities continually reflects what God values most.
We measure faithfulness not by numbers, but by the visible fruit of transformation in our lives and communities:
Character: Are faith, hope, and love deepening in our lives—producing humility, integrity, and endurance in both private and public life?
Service: Are mercy, generosity, and hospitality becoming normal rhythms in our homes and gatherings?
Evangelism: Are we praying for and proclaiming Christ to those who don’t yet know him?
Discipleship: Are believers learning to obey Jesus in community and helping others do the same, raising up new leaders?
Worship: Are our lives and gatherings marked by gratitude, worship, and obedience to God in both word and deed?
When these marks appear—even in small ways—we rejoice that God’s Spirit is at work among us, advancing his purposes through his people.
Questions for Reflection and Action
Which value is most challenging for you or your ministry right now, and what one concrete step could you take this week to grow in it (Phil. 3:12–14)?
Which of the five purposes—character development, service, evangelism, discipleship, or worship—most clearly reflects your current emphasis? Which might God be calling you to strengthen?
How do your personal rhythms in the Word, prayer, and fellowship reflect these values and purposes? Where might your private devotion need to more fully support your public witness (Acts 2:42; Col. 3:16–17)?
What opportunities has God placed in your home, neighborhood, or church community to live these values together—around the Lord’s table, through prayer, or in acts of service (Heb. 10:24–25)?
Who are two people—one believer and one unbeliever—you can intentionally invest in over the next 30 days through discipleship and evangelism (Matt. 28:19–20; 2 Tim. 2:2)? What will you do first?
How can your team or church evaluate ministry decisions by asking, “Does this align with our values? Does it advance our purposes? Does it move us toward our vision?”
In what specific ways can your worship—your affections, thoughts, words, and actions—become more holistic, turning from idols and expressing God’s worth through tangible obedience (Rom. 12:1–2; 1 John 5:21)?