Pastor Steve's Core Values

In support of a two-part sermon series for the good folks at Fort Collins First United Methodist Church, I am sharing the 7 values that ground me and gently pull me back to the center when I stray from being the person I God has called me to be.  For this week, I am only displaying four of the seven because these are the ones addressed in the sermon for today (Sunday, 7/29/12).  Next week, I will post the whole set.

Core Value #1 – My relationship with God in Jesus Christ is at the center

of all I am and do. And, I am committed to the proclamation of Jesus as being Immanuel, “God-with-us”, the fullness of God’s revelation to humanity, but in a way that is accepting of others’ faith commitments.

Core Value #2 – In accordance with several key NT passages (e.g., John 1:1&14, 5:39; Col 1:15-20; and Heb 1:1-3b, 4:12-13) and our United Methodist Book of Discipline (cf. the section dealing with “Our Doctrinal Heritage”), I recognize, celebrate, and affirm Jesus as being the pre-existent and eternal Christ, the Word and Wisdom of God. This means that Scripture is not to be confused with the Word of God but, rather, is to be seen as a vital medium through which the Word of God speaks. So understood, I embrace Scripture as the foundation of my identity, yet remain open to a fresh word from God for my life and ministry through my study of Scripture, the collective voice of the church (tradition), reason, and my experience of God in my life with vibrant prayer being central to this experience.

Core Value #3 – I am called by God to be a pastor to His people and His church. It is not my ministry God has “awarded” me with; it is God’s ministry He has entrusted me with. Therefore, I am a steward, a shepherd, not an owner. I have no reason to grasp for anything, but trust God for everything.

Core Value #4 – I treat myself and others around me with grace because I know I have been dealt with graciously by God.