Core Value
· Church Life / Leadership · Posted by greg · 4 Comments
09.03.09
This past weekend, Pastor Barry stated one of our core values in his opening welcome. He mentioned that in our current series, Dumb Things Christians Believe, we were going to push the envelope. At Parkview we have 6 core values. In some of my upcoming blog posts I will be going through these core values. Let’s begin with the core value already mentioned.
Always Push the Envelope/Faith
We want to be culturally relevant and we are not afraid to try, even if the end may mean we fail. This is demonstrated by: trying new ideas, tackling big challenges, and thinking outside the box.
I have said on occassion that our church is not risk averse but we are risk adept. We don’t run from risk, we look for strategic opportunities to embrace risk. I would rather fail trying than fail to try. My personality embraces risk a little more than the average person – that is the way God wired me and a large part of the reason I was excited about coming to Palm Coast 12 years ago to start a church.
Taking risks and pushing the envelope has been a part of our dna and culture from the beginning – sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But even when it “doesn’t work” we have seen so much good come from it. For example, the most obvious risk in recent times, that failed, was our multi-campus strategy. I won’t unpack all of the process again, but there were some real positive outcomes as a result. We discovered, defined and solitified our core better than ever. We moved our entire congregation toward faith. We admitted when it didn’t work and didn’t continue to beat a dead horse. It gave our leadership the opportunity to work together through a very difficult decision, deciding to pull the plug. I could keep going. One thing is for sure though, I am really glad we tried it and don’t for one minute regret it!
On the other hand, there have been some other risks that have paid off handsomely - I think of our drive thru living nativity. Who would have ever imagined it would come to be such an incredible city event. Entering it’s 4th year, our nativity has literally become a community and city event. Each year our incredible volunteer crew has expanded, improved and grown this wonderful event that celebrates the birth of our Savior! Last year was our best year ever in so many ways and the leadership is already gearing up for Christmas ‘09.
Pushing the envelope is just who we are – it is a core value. I refuse to let us sit around with our hands under our butts dreaming about what could of and should of been. Thank you for being a church that embraces faith, takes risks and always pushes the envelope!
Wayne Lampe
I listened to your last message and was moved even vindicated. I was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease Jan 2006 age 45. I was told I had a 50% chance of living 3 years, 20 % beyond 5 years and 10 past 10 years. I was pounded with dumb things Christians believe about faith and positive thinking, alternative medicine, eat all natural, and confess my sin and having enough faith. The worst is that all disease comes from Satan. Disease entered the world when Adam sinned. These are all things Job’s friends said. God said they were wrong.I ask God to heal me but like Jesus in the garden, HIS WILL BE DONE. I took the opposite approach accepting it and preparing for worst and hoping for best. I am now 3 years 8 months and still here. It has given me opportunity to teach, not like I thought as a pastor, ( My arm is tired warming up)but on the intranet reaching those in other countries.
Wayne Lampe
It is important to take scripture in context. I am working on Matthew series and in Sermon on the Mount. This is an example of Jesus teaching on discernment and wisdom
Ask, Search, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 Everyone who asks will receive. He who searches will find. The door will be opened to the one who knocks.
9 “Suppose your son asks for bread. Which of you will give him a stone? 10 Or suppose he asks for a fish. Which of you will give him a snake? 11 Even though you are evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
12 “In everything, do to others what you would want them to do to you. This is what is written in the Law and in the Prophets.
In this section he’s talking about asking for wisdom from the father. He wants you to ask them pray and depend on him. He will give it to you. However, some people take description to mean that whatever you ask of them you will get. This includes some teach you that includes the healing area. There may be some that disagree with me but you have to take the Scripture and context. That is why going to the Bible is so important.Jesus is talking about praying for wisdom in this section. We know everything we pray for will always get. But what he is saying here if you pray for wisdom, he will give it to you he uses the physical example of a father and his son asking for food so we get it.
Wayne Lampe
Healing in the Bible
1.Jesus, the prophets or disciples ever took money for healing. Elisha’s servent went to Namen to get some goods after he wass healed of leaporsy. The servent and family was struck with leaporsy. Yhis a strong warning God is not for sale.
2. Healling was always obvious and used for God’s glory not man.
3. Jesus healed in many ways. They never slapped anyone on the head and asked for an offering
4. The paralitic man let down thru roof Jesus said, “Your sins are forgive”. He is in heaven. The physical healing was a bonus for others to see but they still did not believe.
Core Value #3
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