A Process for Determining Core Values
12/22/03

     Recently our congregation gathered to begin the process of determining our Core Beliefs and Values. It took us two sessions to finally come up with something we all agreed upon. Our first time together was a Saturday, we scheduled the whole day (9am-4pm) to accomplish our first goal, which was to develop our core beliefs. We gathered as a group, 25 persons in total, at the beginning to lay out what needed to be done, to worship together, and to make clear the objectives and how the process should work. We divided into four groups, with a set of 15 possible core beliefs in hand. Some of the groups decided not to look at the 15 possibilities, as to not influence them in the beginning, but they did look at them after they come up with their beliefs and then when we began the process of discerning the core beliefs. Others used the 15 as a jumping off point. After about an hour and half all groups came back to share and we made up a new list of core beliefs. After some clarification and minor discussions and Lunch, the groups went back to work. After and hour or so we came together as a whole to share our lists.  We then decided to work together as whole group to narrow the field. Through much discussion, clarification, prayer and defining of words we came to a consensus on our Core Beliefs.
     It was amazing to watch the groups work, they each developed a pattern that worked for them. The discussions were all over the place as some groups would be hung up on one area while others would just zoom on by and move from one to the next without much problem. To be able to see the interaction of the people in the large group time was very fulfilling for me. The church was working, there were no battles, no hurt feelings, and all were working for the common good. And all respected each other's opinions and worked hard in finding just the right word that would please everyone.
     After our time together, several people commented on how well the meeting went and that when this type of thing was done before it was not good.  They could remember feelings of being hurt, people getting mad and upset. At 4pm on Saturday everyone left feeling good and that we accomplished something wonderful.
     Our Core Values meeting was held on a Sunday afternoon and went pretty much as the core beliefs meeting. One thing I'll add is that the basis for the function of this meeting was done at the beliefs meeting. Something all the groups encountered while working on the beliefs was that they were also coming up with values and making the distinctions between the two. They would be talking about something and someone would say I think that is a value, so they would write it down and save it for the next meeting. Again both meetings went very well and were very good for us as we continue in The Jesus Connection process.
     The process does work, and all the steps that are a part of it are essential. We are excited about sharing our Core Beliefs and Values with the congregation and know they will feel the same excitement we all felt in developing them.
     - Mark MacWhorter - First Christian Church (DOC), Minneapolis