Core Values: Teamwork
All organizations have stated core values - organizational ideals communicated to be of paramount importance. However, often is the case that an organization's stated core values are not reflected the life of the organization. The result is a disconnect between stated core values and actual core values. So the question before all organizations is this: Are the stated core values the same as the actual core values?
When there is a disconnect between stated values and actual values the result is confusion. It's the same as telling someone that you're enjoying kung pao chicken when you're actually eating a pepperoni pizza. Both are good, but each represents a different culture. And that's what core values are all about. Core values are indicative of an organization's culture.
As a church it is paramount that all of our members foster the same culture. Confusion works against our mission. Therefore, we want everyone to hold the same values. As a church we want for our stated values to be our actual values. Our hope is for our stated core values to be reflected in the life of our individual members and in the life of our church as a whole.
At Anthem Church we have eight stated cored values:
A church is a big team made up of smaller teams (we'll discuss that further when we talk about alignment). We refer to the small teams as our ministry teams (Praise Team, Tech Team, Host Team, Children's Ministry, etc.). We believe that it is best for our ministries to operate as teams - for there to be a vibrant spirit of teamwork.
We believe we can do more as a team than we can on our own. Teamwork means striving together, pulling in the same direction, to accomplish the same goal. It's combining our effort in order to go further faster. Working in teams is better because more people means 1) more gifts and talents, 2) more better ideas, and 3) more perspective.
Most people are pro teamwork until it's actually time to be a part of a team. The reason teamwork is difficult is because it requires three things that do not come natural to us: 1) humility, 2) trust, and 3) consensus.
Humility: Being a team member means being teachable and coachable, willing to receive constructive criticism for your own good, the good of the ministry, and the good of the church. It is important to be humble enough to let others help us to improve by speaking into areas that need improvement.
Trust: Teamwork requires trust. It is important for team members to trust each other trusting that when feedback or suggestions are given it's not personal but that it's being graciously provided for the good of the team member, the ministry, and the church.
Consensus: It's unfortunate in church life that often people get upset when their opinion or suggestion isn't adopted. It may be a good idea but for whatever reason may not fit with the greater picture. In those cases we need to embrace consensus. Consensus doesn't mean compromise. It means agreeing beforehand to go along with the decision even if it's not your preferred way (so long as it doesn't compromise your biblical convictions of course).
Teamwork means serving alongside others, with a spirit of humility, for the sake of the glory of God. It's leveraging each other's God-given talents, gifts, experience, education, and resources so that we may do something greater together than we ever could on our own. It's Philippians 1:27 - "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel."
Let's strive to make teamwork a real core value at Anthem Church.
In awe of Jesus,
Pastor Rick
When there is a disconnect between stated values and actual values the result is confusion. It's the same as telling someone that you're enjoying kung pao chicken when you're actually eating a pepperoni pizza. Both are good, but each represents a different culture. And that's what core values are all about. Core values are indicative of an organization's culture.
As a church it is paramount that all of our members foster the same culture. Confusion works against our mission. Therefore, we want everyone to hold the same values. As a church we want for our stated values to be our actual values. Our hope is for our stated core values to be reflected in the life of our individual members and in the life of our church as a whole.
At Anthem Church we have eight stated cored values:
- Celebration
- Excellence
- Responsibility
- Teamwork
- Alignment
- Vision-Focused Ministry
- Gospel Change
- Urgency of Mission
A church is a big team made up of smaller teams (we'll discuss that further when we talk about alignment). We refer to the small teams as our ministry teams (Praise Team, Tech Team, Host Team, Children's Ministry, etc.). We believe that it is best for our ministries to operate as teams - for there to be a vibrant spirit of teamwork.
We believe we can do more as a team than we can on our own. Teamwork means striving together, pulling in the same direction, to accomplish the same goal. It's combining our effort in order to go further faster. Working in teams is better because more people means 1) more gifts and talents, 2) more better ideas, and 3) more perspective.
Most people are pro teamwork until it's actually time to be a part of a team. The reason teamwork is difficult is because it requires three things that do not come natural to us: 1) humility, 2) trust, and 3) consensus.
Humility: Being a team member means being teachable and coachable, willing to receive constructive criticism for your own good, the good of the ministry, and the good of the church. It is important to be humble enough to let others help us to improve by speaking into areas that need improvement.
Trust: Teamwork requires trust. It is important for team members to trust each other trusting that when feedback or suggestions are given it's not personal but that it's being graciously provided for the good of the team member, the ministry, and the church.
Consensus: It's unfortunate in church life that often people get upset when their opinion or suggestion isn't adopted. It may be a good idea but for whatever reason may not fit with the greater picture. In those cases we need to embrace consensus. Consensus doesn't mean compromise. It means agreeing beforehand to go along with the decision even if it's not your preferred way (so long as it doesn't compromise your biblical convictions of course).
Teamwork means serving alongside others, with a spirit of humility, for the sake of the glory of God. It's leveraging each other's God-given talents, gifts, experience, education, and resources so that we may do something greater together than we ever could on our own. It's Philippians 1:27 - "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel."
Let's strive to make teamwork a real core value at Anthem Church.
In awe of Jesus,
Pastor Rick
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