In his book
Advanced Strategic Planning Aubrey Malphurs says that every church or organization has a corporate soul. Effective leaders seek to understand and tap into the core values that are the heartbeat of the church or organization.
Malphurs says that these core values are building blocks or DNA that explain why the church does what it does. And these values become the foundation on which the mission and vision are built.
As a single individual’s values explain what is most important for a person and what drives his/her behavior, a church's values explain the priorities of a church and what drives its behavior.
The Importance of Values:
Malphurs lists nine reasons why a church’s values are important.
1. “Values determine ministry distinctives”
Values define the culture of a church and the culture of the church is what makes it unique.
2. “Values dictate personal involvement”
The more an individual shares the values of a church, the more involved they will be. The less that a person shares the values of a church, the less involved they will be.
3. “Values communicate what is important”
A basic principle for people and organizations is that what is valued gets done. What isn’t valued is usually ignored.
4. “Values embrace good change”
This, of course assumes, that the organizational values of a church are good. If a church doesn’t have healthy defining values, it may resist change when God wants it to embrace change and grow.
When we have healthy values and we have clearly identified them, they help stir the decision-making process of defining good change.
5. “Values influence overall behavior”
What is truly valued gets done. If we say it’s a value, but we don’t really value it at a heart level, then it won't really drive our decisions and behavior.
6. “Values inspire people to action”
When a group of people share values it has a unifying and energizing effect that mobilizes a cooperative effort that results in greater impact.
7. “Values enhance credible leadership”
Leaders must articulate their values well if they hope to lead people in any kind of kingdom-building venture. If people do not know or respect the values of a leader, then the leader’s ability to influence others will be compromised.
8. “Values contribute to ministry success”
Malphurs says, “It is the organization’s ingrained understanding of its core values more than its technical skills that make its success possible.” (page 99)
9. “Values determine ministry mission and vision”
Malphurs says, “Just because a church decides that the Great Commission will be its mission does not mean that this will be the case. If the church does not value evangelism, then in reality it will have some other mission that aligns more closely with its values, whatever they may be. churches that are not evangelical or that do not value the Bible may have some other mission and vision based on what they do value.” (page 100)
