The Code. It's what we call our set of core values here at Life.Church. This is different than our statement of faith—it has more to do with focus and perspective. As the church grew and changed over the years, we realized that God had given us certain strengths and governing principles that we really felt passionate about. So, we set out to put words to those passions and compiled our list of core values. It was prayerfully created, intensely weighed, checked, and double checked before it became just the right set of guiding principles for our ministry.
Now, it helps shape almost everything we do. The Code gives leadership something to look toward, employees something to model, and attendees something to be encouraged by.
1. We are faith-filled, big thinking, bet-the-farm risk takers.
We’ll never insult God with small thinking and safe living.
2. We are all about the “capital C” Church!
The local church is the hope of the world and we know we can accomplish infinitely more together than apart.
3. We give up things we love for things we love even more.
It’s an honor to sacrifice for Christ and His church.
4. We wholeheartedly reject the label mega-church.
We are a micro-church with a mega-vision.
5. We will do anything short of sin to reach people who don’t know Christ.
To reach people no one is reaching, we’ll have to do things no one is doing.
6. We will lead the way with irrational generosity.
We truly believe it is more blessed to give than to receive.
7. We will laugh hard, loud, and often.
Nothing is more fun than serving God with people you love!
8. We always bring our best.
Excellence honors God and inspires people.
9. We are spiritual contributors not spiritual consumers.
The church does not exist for us. We are the church and we exist for the world.
10. We will honor Christ and His church with integrity.
If we live with integrity, nothing else matters. If we don’t live with integrity, nothing else matters.
Open Idea
Having a set of guiding principles to work by will keep you focused on reaching the people you're uniquely equipped to reach. In your church, your values will probably look different than ours. They might sound different and they might not stop at an even ten. Ask God to reveal what He's planned for you, the strengths He's built into you, the passions He's burdened you with, and start creating.
