Core Values of Holistic Ministry
Core Values of Holistic Ministry
A church makes many choices in deciding and implementing its ministry objectives. For example, the goal of providing home repairs for low-income families raises a number of questions. Will you require the families to help out with the work? Will the goal be to help as many families as possible or to concentrate on a few? Will you stop at home repairs or try to address the family's other needs, such as budgeting or employment? How will the ministry integrate a spiritual dimension?
A set of "core ministry values" or principles defines the commitments and convictions that can guide ministry practice. Core values help the church to do the right things in the right way. (It's possible to do the right things in the wrong way!)
Here are a dozen values that we believe are basic to holistic ministry. (See also chapter 5 in Churches That Make a Difference, especially the checklist on p. 119, and Restorers of Hope, pp. 109-118.) These principles have been developed through the time-tested experience of Christian community ministry practitioners. They represent a blend of biblical wisdom and practical insight.
Church-based ministry that promotes lasting, holistic change in a community has these characteristics:
- Servant leadership: The church ministers with the community, not to the community, seeking the opportunity to serve as a friend rather than a hero.
- Asset-based: The ministry focuses not only on the community's problems but also on its assets and dreams, affirming where God's hand is already evident and building on existing strengths.
- Developmental: The ministry goes beyond meeting immediate needs to promote sustainable change in individuals, neighborhoods, social systems and/or the broader culture.
- Participatory: The ministry draws on the motivation, input, and involvement of members of the community, empowers them as decision-makers, and brings them together around common goals.
- Capacity-building: The ministry discourages dependency by supporting the role of local leaders and institutions and equipping people to live responsibly, not doing what people can do for themselves.
- Collaborative: The ministry works with other organizations rather than replicating existing efforts, shares rather than hoards resources, and promotes an attitude of cooperation rather than competition.
- Relational: The ministry creates opportunities to cultivate mutually transforming relationships that affirm the dignity, equality and giftedness of all people, respecting the image of God in each person.
- Reconciling: The ministry confronts prejudices, promotes restoration across social divides, and stands with those who are most vulnerable in a community.
- Holistic: The ministry promotes wholeness for individuals or a community across interconnected dimensions of life - spiritual, physical, economic, emotional, and relational.
- Spiritually rooted: The ministry draws on and deepens the faith of volunteers and staff, relying on the guidance of Scripture and the power of the Spirit to share God's heart for the poor and vulnerable.
- Spiritually nurturing: The ministry provides opportunities for those who are spiritually hungry to encounter God's truth and grace in ways that are culturally relevant and non-coercive.
- Excellence: The ministry promotes integrity and high standards in its stewardship, leadership, administration, methods and outcomes.
Adopt or adapt these principles for your church's purposes. Refer to your list of core values as you seek to develop new ministries or to reassess existing ministries. (See the application worksheet, tool # 43)
If you find yourselves in serious disagreement over any of these principles, you may need to return to a time of theological study and group discussions until you have unity.
