Core values of any organization are often expressed in lofty and inspiring words, but do they serve a useful purpose in the day-to-day life of that organization? Are they more than uplifting ideas and abstract ideals? I believe core values do serve a useful purpose and can be very helpful to a ministry such as NPWL in these three areas: identity, unity and priority. Let me explain.  

Identity. 

We live in a culture that bombards us with information. We are constantly being introduced to new products and opportunities. With so much information to wade through, people who are unfamiliar with NPWL want to learn quickly and easily what they can about who we are and what we do. Our core values help NPWL clearly and succinctly describe our distinctives to those who are new to our ministry. Our core values also keep us anchored in what is really important to us as we explore new venues and ways of doing ministry. We want to be flexible enough to try new ideas and to abandon models that no longer work well. Our core values keep us faithful to who we are as an organization. Core values are not as fundamental as our beliefs, which never change, but they do describe what we believe God is calling us to be at this point in our history.

Unity.

NPWL ministers to large churches and small, in the north, south, east and west. Our ministries include networks for women’s ministry leaders and women pastors, scholarships for seminarians, and curriculum development for women’s ministries, to name just a few. In such a diverse environment, our core values provide a common ground on which we can all agree. The ministry of NPWL is focused on change and change can be threatening. Part of our call as NPWL is to explore new paradigms for ministry and encourage churches to rethink their own ministries with women. For the congregations and individuals with whom we work, it is easier for them to trust NPWL and embrace change when they clearly know our core values. 

Priority.

Core values express values we feel are most important in ministry. Therefore, they drive our ministry priorities. Our core values help us decide what we do and in what order we do it. Core values shape our direction and show up in all we do. Core values also set the boundaries of our ministry and help us stay focused. Core values define what an organization already is and set the course for its future. The Leadership Team of NPWL has identified seven core values that express who we are and who, by God’s grace, we intend to be. We pray these values will drive and permeate our ministry and prepare the way for Christ to renew his church.

Related:

NPWL Core Values.