PRODUCTIVE PASTOR
Values
How to create short, punchy phrases that are easy to remember. This is particularly important for values as they are meant to be guidelines that are regularly recalled and adhered to.
Why Your Values Matter
Everyone has values, but not everyone exhibits good leadership values.
Anyone in a leadership role should be aware of the values they hold, their strengths, and the areas they can improve on as they grow as a leader.
Why?
Because your values determine how you execute leadership, the team environment you create, and the success of your company. The values you display as a leader will permeate your entire organization and affect its performance.
How to Create Core Value Phrases
Identify the Essence: Start by considering the fundamental qualities or principles you want to emphasize. These could be based on personal beliefs, organizational goals, or cultural standards. For instance, if you’re focusing on a Christian ministry, you might think about values like compassion, integrity, or stewardship.
Condense and Synthesize: Once you have a list of these essential qualities, the challenge is to distill them into two words. This requires a creative synthesis where you combine an adjective and a noun or two nouns that together encapsulate the essence of the value. For example, “Radically Generous” or “Spiritually Grounded”.
Choose Impactful Words: The adjective should set the tone or intensity (like ‘Radically’, ‘Spiritually’, ‘Ethically’), and the noun should reflect the core value (like ‘Generous’, ‘Grounded’, ‘Responsible’). The combination should be powerful and easy to remember.
Why Two-Word Phrases
Clarity and Focus: Two-word phrases distill complex ideas into a clear and concise format. This makes it easier to communicate and understand the core values.
Memorability: Short, punchy phrases are easier to remember. This is particularly important for values as they are meant to be guidelines that are regularly recalled and adhered to.
Guiding Action: A well-structured two-word value phrase acts as a succinct directive. For instance, ‘Intentionally Inclusive’ immediately suggests actions oriented towards inclusivity.
Structuring Core Value Phrases
Adjective + Noun: Often, the structure involves an impactful adjective paired with a noun that denotes the value. For example, “Proactively Supportive” – ‘Proactively’ suggests an active approach, while ‘Supportive’ indicates the nature of the support.
Noun + Noun: Sometimes, two nouns can be combined for a powerful effect, especially when denoting a role or identity, like “Community Builder”.
Turning Values into Actions
Core values are foundational beliefs or principles. However, without concrete actions, they can remain abstract and intangible. Habits transform these values into actionable behaviors, making them practical and observable in daily life.
By adding habits to your core value phrase, you create a clear framework for decision-making that aligns with core values with your actions. When faced with choices, individuals or organizations can refer to these habits to guide their actions, ensuring consistency with their core values.
Helpful List of Values
Here’s a list of core values to help get you started.
Radically Generous
– Practice tithing and regular charitable giving beyond comfort levels.
– Offer time and resources selflessly to church and community projects.
– Encourage and facilitate generosity in others.
Biblically Centered
– Daily reading and study of the Bible.
– Apply biblical principles in decision-making and teachings.
– Engage in regular discussions and teachings on biblical themes and lessons.
Outwardly Focused
– Actively participate in community events and evangelism.
– Regularly volunteer for community service and social justice causes.
– Build and maintain relationships with non-church members in the community.
Personally Involved
– Actively participate in small group ministries or church activities.
– Regularly check in and support church members and staff.
– Offer personal time for counseling and guidance.
Legacy Minded
– Mentor younger leaders.
– Plan and work towards long-term goals for growth and impact.
– Invest for future kingdom impact.
Action Oriented
– Quickly respond to needs and opportunities.
– Lead and participate in initiatives for growth and improvement.
– Regularly set and review actionable goals for personal and ministry growth.
Faithfully Prayerful
– Set aside dedicated time each day for prayer.
– Keep a prayer journal to track prayer requests and answers.
– Incorporate prayer into all aspects of ministry and daily life.
Spiritually Grounded
– Regularly engage in personal meditation and reflection.
– Attend and participate in spiritual retreats or conferences.
– Teach and encourage spiritual disciplines within the congregation.
Community Builder
– Organize and participate in social events in and outside the church.
– Foster a welcoming environment for new church members.
– Encourage and support small group formations and interactions.
Innovatively Creative
– Encourage and implement new ideas in ministry and church activities.
– Stay informed about and experiment with new technology and methods in ministry.
– Foster a culture of creativity and innovation within the church.
Emotionally Intelligent
– Regularly engage in self-reflection to understand personal emotions.
– Practice active listening and empathy in interactions with others.
– Attend workshops or training on emotional intelligence and pastoral care.
Resiliently Strong
– Develop and maintain a support network of fellow pastors and mentors.
– Practice self-care to manage stress and avoid burnout.
– Encourage and lead by example in facing challenges with faith and strength.
Intellectually Curious
– Continually seek knowledge through books, seminars, and workshops.
– Engage in discussions and debates on theological and philosophical topics.
– Encourage intellectual growth and curiosity within the congregation.
Proactively Supportive
– Offer help and support to church members and the community proactively.
– Develop strong support systems and networks.
– Regularly check in with church members, especially those going through tough times.
Missionally Driven
– Clearly articulate and regularly communicate the mission.
– Align activities and schedules with the mission.
– Mobilize and equip other to live out the mission in the community.
