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 this clarity, we can drift into activity without direction, strategy without conviction, and values without purpose. When we clearly define our values and purposes, our churches can move forward in unity, conviction, and faithfulness to Christ.

Core values identify what we consider most worthy of our desires, thoughts, and labor. Purposes describe the outcomes those values must produce. In Scripture—and in the way of Jesus and his apostles—values always drive purpose. What God values shapes what God calls his people to do.

  1. We value Christlike character. Therefore, we are committed to character development.

  2. We value those in need, both Christians and non-Christians. Therefore, we are committed to service.

  3. We value non-Christians. Therefore, we are committed to evangelism.

  4. We value Christians. Therefore, we are committed to discipleship.

  5. Ultimately and most importantly, we value God. Therefore, we are committed to worship.

These values and purposes reflect the priorities Jesus taught and embodied and the way the apostles led the first churches. Together, they help drive our vision to start, strengthen, and multiply churches in every context God gives us.

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 deserves 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 simply what we do.

Purposes, on the other hand, describe the outcomes we seek and the areas of activity through which we pursue them. Like core values, purposes guide our actions, but they focus on what we are trying to accomplish and where we direct our efforts. Purposes identify what we want to accomplish, not why we value those outcomes.

How are core values and purposes related? Both guide our actions, but core values determine our purposes. More specifically, what we value shapes the goals we choose and often how we pursue them. Whether we recognize it or not, our value system shapes the course of our lives—both individually and collectively. The most meaningful relationships and partnerships develop when people share common values and purposes.

Aligning Our Values and Purposes with Jesus’s Values and 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 represent a helpful—even essential—emphasis, but combining them can create category confusion. Some describe virtues, others describe ministry practices, and still others describe relationships, priorities, or means God uses to form us. If a church says it values teamwork, innovation, the Word of God, prayer, and families, for example, those ideas do not all function in the same way. Mixing categories can make it difficult to identify what actually drives the church and what it is trying to accomplish.

In contrast, the values and purposes described here arise from larger biblical priorities that shape the life and mission of the church. Jesus calls his people to love God and others, become like him, care for those in need, make disciples of all nations, and build one another up as his people (Matt. 22:37–40; 28:18–20; Rom. 8:29; Gal. 6:10; Eph. 4:11–16). The early church expressed these priorities through devotion to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, prayer, generosity, gospel witness, and shared life (Acts 2:42–47; 4:32–35). Taken together, these five values and purposes provide a unified framework for the life and mission of the church.

This framework moves us from slogans to lived commitments. It connects who we are becoming with what we are doing and why we are doing it. By rooting our efforts in what God values and commands, we can evaluate our ministries according to biblical priorities rather than personal preferences or ministry trends.

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.

Values answer why we act.

Purposes answer what we do.

Vision answers where this leads.

When these three work together, our ministry reflects both God’s heart and God’s mission. As we pursue Christlike character, serve those in need, evangelize non-Christians, disciple believers, and worship God, we participate in the kind of ministry that can start, strengthen, and multiply churches. Each value fuels its corresponding purpose, and together they help move the mission of Jesus forward in homes, neighborhoods, churches, and communities.

How the Five Purposes Work Together

These five purposes are distinct, even though the same activity may sometimes contribute to more than one of them. Character development focuses on who we are becoming as God forms us into the likeness of Christ. Service responds to the practical and relational needs of others with tangible love. Evangelism helps non-Christians hear, understand, and respond to the gospel. Discipleship helps believers grow toward maturity and learn to help others follow Jesus. Worship directs our lives and ministries toward their highest end—the glory and enjoyment of God.

Because ministry happens in real relationships, these purposes naturally reinforce one another. Hospitality may meet a practical need, create an opportunity for evangelism, or strengthen another believer. Singing worships God while also teaching and encouraging the church. A shared meal may express service, fellowship, and discipleship at the same time. The purposes remain distinct because each answers a different question about what we are seeking to accomplish.

Character development is foundational because who we are shapes how we carry out every other purpose. Worship is ultimate because everything we do should express God’s supreme worth. Between them, service, evangelism, and discipleship describe major ways we direct our love and ministry toward others. These values and purposes do not describe a sequence of ministry activities. They establish the priorities that should shape everything we do, while our strategy—the Apostolic Cycle—shows how we repeatedly pursue these priorities as we reach non-Christians, strengthen Christians, and develop leaders.

What Are the Core Values and Purposes of Our Network?

Identifying and teaching our core values and purposes helps align us with what God wants us to value and do as the church. To clarify and communicate them, we follow this simple pattern:

“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). Christlike character is foundational for every part of our lives and ministries. Conversely, one of the fastest ways to damage our families and churches is to neglect character while pursuing ministry activity.

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; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:22–24). We cultivate this growth as we remain in Christ, receive his Word, pray, repent, obey, and depend on the Holy Spirit (John 15:4–10; Gal. 5:16, 22–23). God also forms our character through relationships within the church, where we encourage one another, bear burdens, forgive, correct, and practice love (Col. 3:12–14; Gal. 6:1–2; Heb. 10:24–25). Trials further test and strengthen our faith, producing endurance and maturity as we continue trusting God (Rom. 5:3–5; James 1:2–4).

How we pursue character development:

  • We read Scripture and pray regularly, asking God to search our hearts, renew our minds, and help us remain in Christ (Ps. 139:23–24; John 15:4–7; Rom. 12:2).

  • We confess sin and put God’s Word into practice, responding to conviction with repentance, faith, and obedience (1 John 1:9; James 1:22–25).

  • We pursue growth with other believers, giving and receiving encouragement, correction, forgiveness, and help as we learn to love one another (Gal. 6:1–2; Col. 3:12–14; Heb. 10:24–25).

  • We depend on God through suffering, trusting him to use trials to deepen endurance, proven character, and hope (Rom. 5:3–5; James 1:2–4).

2. We value those in need, both Christians and non-Christians. Therefore, we are committed to service.

God calls his people to notice and respond to the needs of others. Scripture especially emphasizes caring for fellow believers while also commanding us to do good to all people (Gal. 6:9–10). The early church shared resources, cared for vulnerable people, and organized practical help when needs arose (Acts 4:32–35; 6:1–6; James 1:27). Jesus himself came not to be served but to serve, and he taught his disciples to follow his example (Mark 10:45; John 13:12–15). Service therefore expresses Christlike love through practical action rather than remaining only a good intention.

How we pursue service:

  • We pay attention to the needs around us in our churches, families, neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities (Phil. 2:4; Gal. 6:10).

  • We practice hospitality and generosity, sharing our homes, time, possessions, and resources with others (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2, 16).

  • We use our gifts and resources to relieve burdens and strengthen others, especially those who need practical care or support (Acts 20:35; 1 Pet. 4:10).

  • We serve with the strength God provides, seeking his glory rather than recognition for ourselves (1 Pet. 4:10–11).

3. We value non-Christians. Therefore, we are committed to evangelism.

Evangelism is the proclamation of the gospel—the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead, and now reigns as Lord (1 Cor. 15:1–4; Acts 2:32–36). God entrusts this message of reconciliation to his people and sends us as Christ’s representatives to make it known (2 Cor. 5:18–20). We do not merely provide information about Jesus; we call people to repent, turn to God, and trust in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38; 20:21). The church therefore seeks opportunities to engage non-Christians, explain the gospel clearly, and help them respond to Christ.

How we pursue evangelism:

  • We engage the people God has placed around us, praying for open doors and creating natural opportunities for gospel conversations in our existing relationships and communities (Acts 17:17; Col. 4:2–6).

  • We proclaim the gospel clearly, explaining who Jesus is, what he has accomplished through his death and resurrection, and why this good news matters (Acts 2:22–36; 1 Cor. 15:1–4).

  • We call people to repent and trust in Jesus, helping them understand the response God requires to the gospel (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:21).

  • We invite non-Christians into relationships and settings where they can continue hearing and seeing the gospel, including conversations, meals, Bible studies, and gatherings of believers (Luke 5:29–32; Acts 16:13–15).

When people repent and believe, we baptize them as followers of Jesus and help them enter the shared life of the church (Acts 2:38–47; 8:36–38). Evangelism therefore leads naturally toward baptism, Christian community, and ongoing discipleship.

4. We value Christians. Therefore, we are committed to discipleship.

God calls every believer to follow Jesus and participate in helping others follow him (Matt. 28:18–20). In this framework, discipleship focuses especially on strengthening Christians in community so they grow toward maturity in belief, character, obedience, relationships, service, and mission. The first believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42–47). The New Testament also describes believers teaching, encouraging, correcting, serving, and building one another up so that the whole body grows toward maturity in Christ (Rom. 15:14; Eph. 4:11–16; Col. 3:16).

How we pursue discipleship:

  • We share the Lord’s Supper and life together, remembering Christ, expressing our unity, and strengthening our relationships as his people (Acts 2:42, 46; 1 Cor. 10:16–17; 11:23–26).

  • We study and obey God’s Word together, allowing Scripture to shape what we believe, how we live, and what we teach others (Acts 2:42; Col. 3:16; James 1:22–25).

  • We pray together, giving thanks, sharing needs, seeking God’s help, and asking him to advance his work in and through us (Acts 2:42; 4:23–31; Eph. 6:18–20).

  • We minister to one another, using our gifts to encourage, care for, correct, and strengthen other believers in love (Rom. 12:3–8; Gal. 6:1–2; 1 Pet. 4:10–11).

  • We sing to God and to one another, praising and thanking God while teaching and encouraging one another through biblical truth (Eph. 5:18–20; Col. 3:16).

As believers mature, churches also identify and develop faithful people for greater responsibility. We help emerging leaders grow in character, biblical understanding, and ministry ability so they can teach, serve, shepherd, develop others, and help strengthen churches (2 Tim. 2:2; 3:14–17; 1 Tim. 3:1–13). Leadership development therefore grows out of discipleship while serving the wider mission of the church.

5. We value God above all. Therefore, we are committed to worship.

Worship is the ultimate purpose of everything we do. God alone deserves our highest love, praise, devotion, and obedience (Matt. 22:37–38; Rev. 4:11). We worship him not only through particular acts of praise but by offering our whole lives to him and allowing his truth to renew the way we think and live (Rom. 12:1–2). When we gather, we worship through Scripture, prayer, singing, thanksgiving, and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:23–26; Col. 3:16–17). When we scatter, we worship through faithful work, obedience, generosity, service, and witness (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17, 23–24). Every other purpose ultimately serves this one: that God would receive the glory he deserves.

How we pursue worship:

  • We love God above everything else and turn from idols that compete for our trust, devotion, and obedience (Matt. 22:37–38; Rom. 1:25; 1 John 5:21).

  • We gather to hear God’s Word, pray, sing, give thanks, and share the Lord’s Supper as his people (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:23–26; Col. 3:16–17).

  • We honor God through everyday obedience and work, offering our entire lives to him rather than separating worship from ordinary life (Rom. 12:1–2; Col. 3:17, 23–24).

  • We serve others and bear witness to Christ in ways that bring glory to God (Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 4:10–11).

  • We long for the day when every knee will bow to Jesus Christ and all creation will praise him (Phil. 2:10–11; Rev. 5:11–13).

Living Out Our Values and Purposes

Our values and purposes are not simply statements. They are commitments that shape how we follow Jesus together in every sphere of life. In private devotion, relationships, work, church gatherings, and mission, we seek to grow in Christlike character, serve those in need, evangelize non-Christians, disciple believers, and worship God. Circumstances change, but these commitments continue to guide how we live and minister.

Living by these convictions requires both personal faithfulness and shared participation. Individuals, families, churches, and leaders should regularly ask whether these values actually shape their priorities and practices. Leaders should model, teach, reinforce, and celebrate them so that the culture of our churches increasingly reflects what God values.

We do not evaluate faithfulness simply by attendance, activity, or numerical growth. We also look for visible fruit that shows these values and purposes increasingly shaping our lives and churches:

Character: Are faith, hope, love, humility, integrity, and endurance growing in our private and public lives?

Service: Are we increasingly noticing needs and responding with mercy, hospitality, generosity, and practical help?

Evangelism: Are we praying for non-Christians, engaging them in meaningful relationships, proclaiming the gospel clearly, and calling them to respond to Jesus?

Discipleship: Are believers growing through the Word, prayer, shared life, mutual ministry, and worship—and are mature believers helping others grow and preparing new leaders?

Worship: Are our lives and gatherings increasingly centered on God’s worth and marked by praise, thanksgiving, dependence, and obedience?

When we see these marks—even in small and imperfect ways—we can thank God for the work of his Spirit and continue pursuing greater faithfulness.

Questions for Reflection and Action

  1. Which value and purpose most needs greater attention in your life or church right now? What is one concrete step you can take?

  2. Where is God developing your character, and what habit, relationship, or area of obedience could help you continue growing?

  3. Who is one person in need you can serve, one non-Christian you can engage with the gospel, and one believer you can help strengthen?

  4. How do your daily life and church gatherings express God’s worth through worship, obedience, service, and mission?

  5. As you evaluate your ministry, does it reflect your values, advance your purposes, and move you toward your vision? What needs to change or receive greater attention?