Why a Vision & Values?
I was challenged to create these personal Vision & Values by the book "Leading from the Sandbox". These Vision & Values help me to find clarity in my goals and guide many of my decisions. Clarity brings focus. Without focus, we get spread thin in many directions. “Focus is why a river has more force than a swamp” (7 Practices of Effective Ministry).
This is a "living document". I am constantly improving it as I gain greater clarity in all I do. If you feel inspired to write your own, feel free to borrow any of this to get started. After some time has passed, I would encourage you to revisit it to find ways to communicate the truths in a way that is unique to you.
I pray that you will find the clarity in your ministry to invest your energy and time with the greatest focus!
This is a "living document". I am constantly improving it as I gain greater clarity in all I do. If you feel inspired to write your own, feel free to borrow any of this to get started. After some time has passed, I would encourage you to revisit it to find ways to communicate the truths in a way that is unique to you.
I pray that you will find the clarity in your ministry to invest your energy and time with the greatest focus!
Vision: what am I ultimately committed to accomplishing?
To help multiply movements of prayer, disciples, leaders & churches in Western Europe.
Guiding Principles: how am I committed to operating?
1. Prayer Foundation
God loves to bless the labor of those who fully depend on Him in prayer. When prayer is the foundation He gets the glory for the results. (1 Pet. 3:12, 1 John 5:14-15, John 15:7) Ministry fruit depends entirely on God’s power, but He works in answer to prayer and can “do far more abundantly than all we ask or think”. I never want to depend on my strategic plan but to follow where God is working & leading. Prayer movements precede church movements.
Is prayer the visible foundation of all I do?
2. Gospel Seeds
There are enough good things to keep me busy 26 hours a day, I must devote my attention to the best ways to communicate the gospel in word and in deed. This means making time to connect with the lost where they are. It means sharing hope by planting gospel seeds in conversation, unpacking the gospel or helping someone discover the Bible through studying together.
Am I connecting with the lost? Am I planting gospel seeds in conversations?
3. Develop People
Because my goal is to see disciples, leaders & churches multiply, I must develop people. Depth is just as important as width (multiplication). Just as Jesus invested a great amount of time in the lives of a few disciples, I must focus on developing people above programs. Success is not my ministry succeeding, it is helping others succeed. MAWL
Model- Do life together. Let others learn from observing your life & ministry.
Assist- Equip. Minister together.
Watch- Others minister, you follow up. Coach with questions, Mentor with advice.
Leave- Step back. Mentor and Encourage others to help them succeed.
Am I developing others as disciples & leaders?
4. Multiplication
My desire is to see disciples, leaders & churches multiplying. Equip people & churches to reproduce themselves. Every method must be evaluated to see if it is simple enough to reproduce. Simplify to multiply. Many things that are good for 1st generation believers & churches will never reach 4th generation. Minimize mission dependance, programs and non-reproducible elements of ministries & ministry tools to aid multiplication. Church planting multiplication will only happen when disciples are multiplying.
Does it multiply disciples, leaders or churches?
5. Constant Improvement
My knowledge and practice can always be improved. I need the humble attitude of a lifelong learner, being willing to learn from past experience (including mistakes), others and personal study. Because the goal is to be effective, learning and improving current practices will be welcomed.
How can I do it better?
6. Partnership
Partnership grows from relationship. Find likeminded believers. Spend time together. Pray together. Strategize together. Foster intentional networks focused on church multiplication. We are stronger together. “There is no end to what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.”
Am I seeking to build God’s kingdom or my (our) kingdom?
7. Gospel Expansion
God loves to bless the expansion of the gospel. I will recruit & pray daily for more laborers. (Matt. 9:38) Gospel expansion is our direction, but God rarely gives a detailed roadmap. He gives step-by-step instructions through needs, providence, gifting and prayer.
Needs: What needs has God given me a desire to meet? What area needs a gospel influence?
Providence (Consider providential people, resources, circumstances & opportunities): What is God doing around me and how can I join him?
Gifting: How has God gifted or equipped me to meet these needs?
Prayer: What is the next step God is leading me to take? (Don't get perfection paralysis!)
God loves to bless the labor of those who fully depend on Him in prayer. When prayer is the foundation He gets the glory for the results. (1 Pet. 3:12, 1 John 5:14-15, John 15:7) Ministry fruit depends entirely on God’s power, but He works in answer to prayer and can “do far more abundantly than all we ask or think”. I never want to depend on my strategic plan but to follow where God is working & leading. Prayer movements precede church movements.
Is prayer the visible foundation of all I do?
2. Gospel Seeds
There are enough good things to keep me busy 26 hours a day, I must devote my attention to the best ways to communicate the gospel in word and in deed. This means making time to connect with the lost where they are. It means sharing hope by planting gospel seeds in conversation, unpacking the gospel or helping someone discover the Bible through studying together.
Am I connecting with the lost? Am I planting gospel seeds in conversations?
3. Develop People
Because my goal is to see disciples, leaders & churches multiply, I must develop people. Depth is just as important as width (multiplication). Just as Jesus invested a great amount of time in the lives of a few disciples, I must focus on developing people above programs. Success is not my ministry succeeding, it is helping others succeed. MAWL
Model- Do life together. Let others learn from observing your life & ministry.
Assist- Equip. Minister together.
Watch- Others minister, you follow up. Coach with questions, Mentor with advice.
Leave- Step back. Mentor and Encourage others to help them succeed.
Am I developing others as disciples & leaders?
4. Multiplication
My desire is to see disciples, leaders & churches multiplying. Equip people & churches to reproduce themselves. Every method must be evaluated to see if it is simple enough to reproduce. Simplify to multiply. Many things that are good for 1st generation believers & churches will never reach 4th generation. Minimize mission dependance, programs and non-reproducible elements of ministries & ministry tools to aid multiplication. Church planting multiplication will only happen when disciples are multiplying.
Does it multiply disciples, leaders or churches?
5. Constant Improvement
My knowledge and practice can always be improved. I need the humble attitude of a lifelong learner, being willing to learn from past experience (including mistakes), others and personal study. Because the goal is to be effective, learning and improving current practices will be welcomed.
How can I do it better?
6. Partnership
Partnership grows from relationship. Find likeminded believers. Spend time together. Pray together. Strategize together. Foster intentional networks focused on church multiplication. We are stronger together. “There is no end to what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.”
Am I seeking to build God’s kingdom or my (our) kingdom?
7. Gospel Expansion
God loves to bless the expansion of the gospel. I will recruit & pray daily for more laborers. (Matt. 9:38) Gospel expansion is our direction, but God rarely gives a detailed roadmap. He gives step-by-step instructions through needs, providence, gifting and prayer.
Needs: What needs has God given me a desire to meet? What area needs a gospel influence?
Providence (Consider providential people, resources, circumstances & opportunities): What is God doing around me and how can I join him?
Gifting: How has God gifted or equipped me to meet these needs?
Prayer: What is the next step God is leading me to take? (Don't get perfection paralysis!)
Central Ministry Focus: what do I need to be doing day in and day out to accomplish the vision?
To be a disciple who multiplies disciples & leaders.
Preferred Culture: who do I need to be to accomplish the vision?
Accomplishing the mission is not my work, it is God’s work. (Acts 17:24-25, 1 Cor. 4:7) The Holy Spirit alone can change hearts, but He uses us as His instruments. (John 15:4-5) While my actions are never the reason for success, God says that He uses a certain kind of people as His preferred instruments. (Is. 66:2, 2 Tim. 2:20-21). God still looks for people after His own heart.
Who you are is more important than what you do, because what you do flows out of who you are. (Prov. 4:23) Ministry is an overflow of my heart. My preferred culture is to serve with all my might while becoming the kind of person “to whom (God) will look”, one who is “useful to the master”.
1. Worship First
God loves to bless the labor of worshipers because they passionately proclaim His glory to the world. Worship must be first place in my life. This means taking time to be still and know that He is God. Stillness before service. Worship before work. For Him to flow out of me, He must be continually flowing into me. (Ps. 33:18, 46:10, 96:10, Luke 10:42)
Am I lost in awe, or have I lost my awe? Am I ministering from a full spiritual cup?
2. Pursue Christlikeness
God loves to bless the labor of those who walk in holiness and love because they embody the submission and love that they preach. I don’t want to get in the way of God’s power flowing through me. I want God to rule as king over my heart; my whole heart. (2 Chronicles 16:9, 2 Tim. 2:20-21, 1 Pet. 3:12, John 15:7, 10, 12) My holiness today affects my usefulness tomorrow. (1 Sam. 15:22-23)
Is my heart hindering God’s power flowing through me?
3. Humble Confidence
God loves to bless the labor of the humble because they don’t embezzle His glory. (Is. 66:2, James 4:6) I must stay humbled by the truth that God provides all resources and deserves all glory. I must also have unwavering confidence that God’s perfect plan will be accomplished.
Am I showing that God is trustworthy with humble, unwavering confidence?
4. Trust & Accountability:
God loves to bless the labor of those that love others because they best reflect Christ. (John 15:7, 10, 12) I must trust the best intentions in others and not be easily offended. If something seems questionable, I will ask a question. Odds are high that I misunderstood. If there is a problem, I must show others the same love I desire by having the tough conversations. I desire to collectively pursue Christlikeness by lovingly encouraging and holding each other accountable; keeping sin from taking root and hindering the spread of the gospel.
Am I filling the gap with grace? Am I having the tough conversations?
Who you are is more important than what you do, because what you do flows out of who you are. (Prov. 4:23) Ministry is an overflow of my heart. My preferred culture is to serve with all my might while becoming the kind of person “to whom (God) will look”, one who is “useful to the master”.
1. Worship First
God loves to bless the labor of worshipers because they passionately proclaim His glory to the world. Worship must be first place in my life. This means taking time to be still and know that He is God. Stillness before service. Worship before work. For Him to flow out of me, He must be continually flowing into me. (Ps. 33:18, 46:10, 96:10, Luke 10:42)
Am I lost in awe, or have I lost my awe? Am I ministering from a full spiritual cup?
2. Pursue Christlikeness
God loves to bless the labor of those who walk in holiness and love because they embody the submission and love that they preach. I don’t want to get in the way of God’s power flowing through me. I want God to rule as king over my heart; my whole heart. (2 Chronicles 16:9, 2 Tim. 2:20-21, 1 Pet. 3:12, John 15:7, 10, 12) My holiness today affects my usefulness tomorrow. (1 Sam. 15:22-23)
Is my heart hindering God’s power flowing through me?
3. Humble Confidence
God loves to bless the labor of the humble because they don’t embezzle His glory. (Is. 66:2, James 4:6) I must stay humbled by the truth that God provides all resources and deserves all glory. I must also have unwavering confidence that God’s perfect plan will be accomplished.
Am I showing that God is trustworthy with humble, unwavering confidence?
4. Trust & Accountability:
God loves to bless the labor of those that love others because they best reflect Christ. (John 15:7, 10, 12) I must trust the best intentions in others and not be easily offended. If something seems questionable, I will ask a question. Odds are high that I misunderstood. If there is a problem, I must show others the same love I desire by having the tough conversations. I desire to collectively pursue Christlikeness by lovingly encouraging and holding each other accountable; keeping sin from taking root and hindering the spread of the gospel.
Am I filling the gap with grace? Am I having the tough conversations?