Live Out What’s Important to You
This article is part one of a 4-part series, based on the following: In your ministry, make sure that you live out what’s important to you by (1) identifying your core values and increasing your understanding of them, (2) leading from your core values, (3) developing practices that reflect your core values, and (4) assessing how well you are living out your core values.
I want to make sure that in my ministry I live out what’s important to me. Why? Because I want to honor how God made me. I’ve found that when I do, I increase the likelihood that I’ll be at my best, I better understand myself and those I serve, and I improve my decision-making, planning, and overall effectiveness.
What helps me? Identifying my core values and increasing my understanding of them.
I’m involved in leadership development, and my identified core values are empowerment, growth, focus, and working smart. Identifying my values and increasing my understanding of them has helped me focus leaders on their God-given callings. Because of my core value of empowerment, I’ve shifted from giving advice to asking questions.
My wife is also involved in leadership development. While we both want to see leaders who are thriving as they pursue their God-given callings, we have different core values. My wife’s core values are joy, stewardship, community, and learning. We are both pursuing the goal of equipping and shaping leaders, but we approach it differently.
Identifying our core values together helps us recognize that God makes people differently, so they have different views of what is important, even when pursuing common goals.
So, what are your 3-5 core values? If you haven’t already identified them, don’t worry. The process isn’t that difficult: reflect on two questions, preferably with someone who knows you well.
1 What’s important to you?
2 What 3-5 words identify your core values? (use the word list, as helpful)
How can you deepen your understanding of your 3-5 core values? Here are 6 ways:
- Connect each value to a relevant Bible passage. For example, I’ve connected my value of focus with I Corinthians 9:24 where Paul encourages us to run for the prize.
- Identify what each value means and doesn’t mean. For example, empowerment means getting others to set goals; it doesn’t mean me setting goals for them.
- Research how others (individuals and organizations) define their values.
- Read books that address your values. I value working smart and have read books like Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work, Crazy Busy: A Mercifully Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem, and Declutter Your Inbox: 9 Proven Steps to Eliminate Email Overload.
- Journal or blog about each of your values — what they mean and how you are using them.
- Use your values to guide your planning. For example, I value growth, and when planning a workshop, I ask myself, “How will this training help others grow?”
The point? In your ministry, make sure that you live out what’s important to you. Identifying your core values and increasing your understanding of them can help.
What about you?
What are your core values?
What’s encouraging/discouraging about the way you live out each of your core values?
On a scale of 1-5 (5 being high), how well do you understand each of your core values?
How can you increase your understanding of your core values?
How can you use your core values to serve those you minister to?