If you had the opportunity to shape the perfect church culture, what would it look like? Culture, in any organization, is a combination of what you create and what you allow. Therefore, in order to effectively shape our culture, we must be extremely purposeful about what we do, how we do it and why we do it.

 

Here in this New Year, the Lord has challenged me to drive a Christ-centered culture even deeper into our church.

 

Jesus tells a story in Matthew 25 about a man who entrusted money (talents) to his servants. To one he gave five talents, to another he allotted two talents, and to a third, he bestowed one talent. He then commanded them to productively invest those talents until his return. Upon his return, the master found that two of his servants had invested his talents wisely, but the third man had buried his gift. The third man was, in his master’s own words, “A wicked and lazy servant.”

 

The moral is that we have a stewardship responsibility to diligently invest our talents for our Master. We ought to be intentional.

 

Every church has a culture. Our aim is to craft a culture that aligns itself with a focused vision. Toward that end, I’ve developed a list of Nine Values that have influenced our culture from day one and that shape everything we do here at Reliance.

WE VALUE 

 

THE WORD OF GOD

We trust God’s Word as the only foundation for truth and our only hope for change. 

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We change the world one life at a time through the power of the Holy Spirit who flows through men, not methods. 

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” – Acts 1:8

 

PRAYER

We work like everything depends on us, but we pray like everything depends on God, because it does. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” – Philippians 4:6

 

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

We develop a godly character through a lifelong commitment to learning.

“…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18

  

SERVING

We are contributors, not consumers.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45 

 

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

We empower people to their highest calling. 

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2

 

MISSIONAL LIVING

We live out a genuine faith and intentionally share that faith with others. 

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

 

UNITY

We are a diverse family that sticks together in a world falling apart.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  – John 13:35

 

QUALITY

We bring innovation, excellence and creativity to everything we do.

 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Colossians 3:17