My 5 Ministry Core Values

The following five core values are a set of guiding principles, or convictions, that are foundational to who I am and what I want my ministry to be about. Over the last few years these have become more clear to me.

These values are like tracks that keep me going in the right direction. They provide proper boundaries to keep me from getting off the path.

In my writing, speaking, and ministry I seek to be guided by this simple set of values:

1. Word-grounded

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
-2 Timothy 3:16

The Bible is the Word of God, and is the foundation for all Christian doctrine and practice. I hold the Bible in high esteem, and want to be grounded in the Word in all that I write, teach, and do.

There are many reasons why it is important to be grounded in the Word, and those who neglect this tend to drift away into error and deception.

2. Spirit-empowered

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”
-Acts 1:8

The Holy Spirit is active today and we should welcome and expect the full manifestation of His fruit, gifts, and power. If we seek to be grounded in the Word but neglect the Spirit, we will end up dry, legalistic, and powerless.

My desire is to walk and minister in a way that honors both the Word and the Spirit. I believe wholeheartedly in the supernatural gifts of the Spirit, and the power of God to heal and deliver. I believe that Christians and churches must prioritize prayer to maintain a Spirit-filled lifestyle.

3. Christ-centered

The Lord Jesus and His finished work on the cross should be at the center. Everything we have from God stems from the work of Christ, and He should be the focus of our lives.

I believe that a primary purpose of ministry is to point people to Jesus, so that they may genuinely meet Him and relate to Him. I hope that my ministry will draw people to Jesus and bring glory to Him.

4. Kingdom-minded

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”
-Matthew 6:33

The kingdom of God is advancing throughout the earth, and is bigger than any one person, church, or denomination. We should be building His kingdom, not ours.

Jesus preached the “good news of the kingdom of God” (see Mark 1:14) and His followers did the same. I hope to be a kingdom-minded believer, seeking first His kingdom. I want to see His kingdom come and His will be done “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

5. Relationship-oriented

God works in and through relationships. Relationship with God and others is what matters the most. If “building a ministry” ever becomes more important than my relationship with God then I am in trouble. And if ministry ever loses a relational thrust, it becomes shallow and cold.

God is a God of relationships. My hope is that my ministry will flow out of intimacy with God and will be relational in nature.

These five core values are for me, a foundation for life and ministry. But I believe that they could be helpful to just about any Christian seeking to fulfill their God-given call.

Do you have a set of values that help guide you? Would you be able to identify some convictions that are “non-negotiable” in your life or ministry?