“Values are those non-negotiable perspectives in your life that define your character. They serve as the basis for consistent and appropriate decisions as well as the foundational precepts to which you may be held accountable by those whom you trust and who care about you.” – George Barna
The true hypocrite is not the one who says one thing and does another. According to this description we would all fall into that category at one time or another. Rather, the true hypocrite proclaims a standard but does not pursue it. There are many values listed in passages such as the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, the Fruit of the Spirit, and Paul’s requirements for elders and deacons. The following constant, passionate, Biblical principles have been chosen to be the character definition of Salt of the Earth.
1. The Bible as the Last Word of Authority. (Lev. 18:1-5; 2 Tim 3:16-17)
“If you are seeking to know the purpose of your church, it will be found in the Great Commission” ~ Aubrey Malphurs
Salt of the Earth recognizes the Bible as the inerrant, inspired word of God and therefore serves as the final word of authority on any issue. We recognize that not all instruction in the Bible is clear or agreed upon as to the interpretation so we will strive to obey what we understand and exercise fear and trembling where we do not understand. Respect and freedom to disagree will be granted to any case with sound Biblical support.
2. Godly Servant Leadership (“…Not so among you!” Mark 10:42-45; Malachi 2:5-8)
The staff of Salt of the Earth will model godly, servant leadership and the lay person will be encouraged to follow the example. This will be modeled by practicing mutual accountability and “one anothering” as taught in the 42 ‘one another’ passages in the New Testament. We will follow Jesus’ example of ‘to serve and not to be served’ and his example of refraining to use His power to manipulate a situation but presenting the choices and then honoring them. (cf. the rich, young ruler and Judas etc.). We recognize that leadership in the church exists to empower others to be what God intended them to be. True servant leaders must recognize lay people and their potential as just as important as themselves.
3. Passionate Evangelism (“…lead many to righteousness.” Dan 12:3; Lu 19:10)
Virtually every ‘great commission’ passage in the Bible implies going. We are not to adopt the attitude of people coming to us. Knowing that only Jesus is able to save a person we recognize our responsibility to present the Gospel in a clear, complete and culturally relevant manner to receptive people. When this is done in the love that Jesus displayed we can expect the lost person to respond to us as lost people did to Jesus. If they do not, we should examine our attitude to see if it more reflects that of the Pharisees or of Jesus. Leading a lost person to Jesus is a journey and we must find out where they are on that journey, discover and meet their ‘felt needs’ and determine receptivity to the Gospel. Only when a person is receptive and the Gospel has been clearly and relevantly presented can we assume that true evangelism has taken place.
4. Love (“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35)
Our love for each other and the world will be the first, most visible sign that we are different than others because of Jesus’ presence in our lives. If we truly value this we must periodically ask ourselves “how are we doing?”
5. Unity (…that the world may believe that the Father sent Jesus. John 17:21)
Our unity must be on public display in order for those around us to see what Jesus can do in the lives of a group. As we deal with our issues in a spirit of unity, it will be a sign to non-believers that God sent Jesus.
6. Relational Discipleship (“…to prepare God’s people for… service…so the body of Christ will be built up…and become mature…” Ephesians 4:12-13; Ps. 51:12-13)
Salt of the Earth recognizes that every person has the basic needs of belonging; the need to feel listened to, respected, valuable and having purpose etc. These needs can be met in true community. However, true community can only take place after certain relational skills are learned and practiced. We will model and encourage the attitude of “seek first to understand then to be understood”. People inside and outside the church will be accepted as they are, listened to and respected, empowered to become what God intends for them, perceived as a work of the Holy Spirit as well as the flesh and invested in with all the resources of the church. A robust network of small groups will facilitate the life development process. It will be used to lead people through the stages of a foundation of faith to maturity and commitment to God’s specific plan for their lives. These small groups will regularly meet to study the whole counsel of God found in the Bible. They will also serve as the forum for the study of specific, relevant topics such as Basics of Evangelism, D.E.S.I.G.N classes, etc.
7. Biblical Family Values
• Biblical family values start with marriage. God created the family in the garden of Eden. Marriage serves as the key factor of family stability. That’s why God said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24).
“Family is probably the first and foremost value in Modi’in” ~ Yossi Bar-David, Deputy Mayor of Modi’in
• Biblical family values restrict sexual relationships to marriage. Sexual interaction within marriage is pure and enhances human fulfillment. In any other context, it is to be treated as sinful behavior. (Leviticus 18).
• Biblical family values focus on a father and a mother as the primary behavior molders of children. “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deut. 6:6-7).
• Biblical values require believers to minister to families that are broken and imperfect. You don’t just reject people because they are divorced, because there’s only one parent present in the home or because some people have problems raising their children. We will follow Jesus’ example who offered living water to a woman who had been married five times and refused to condemn a woman caught in the act of adultery. (See John 4 and John 8).
8. Prayer Birthed Activity (“Show me your ways, teach me your path” Ps 25:4-5 “We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, that God prepared for us” Eph 2:10.)
These works are to be discerned in prayer.
9. Authentic Worship (“For you are great… you alone are God” Ps. 86:9-10 “…in spirit and truth…” John 4:23-24.)
Worship meetings must be events that recognize and glorify God as holy and give people an opportunity to involve their whole being; body –by our posture (whether standing, sitting or kneeling) soul – “Bless the Lord, O my soul…” (Psalm 103:1-2) and spirit –“…true worshippers will worship the Father in sprit and truth…” (John 4:23-24). We will conduct people friendly, nurturing meetings that will incorporate fellowship, prayer, relevant music, edification and opportunities for response. It is the purpose of our worship meetings to glorify God and edify people.
10. Integrity (in all aspects of ministry life as an intentional public witness)
We may be the only ‘Jesus’ many people will ever see. Compromised integrity is failure and a loss of witness. We will display godly character and honesty in all we do as an above board, intentional, public witness in every aspect of church life from administration to internal and external relationships.
11. Grace on Tap (To understand, receive and apply God’s free gift of grace personally and to pass that grace on to others. This is an essential value in today’s tormented Middle East)
Grace is the unique aspect of our faith. No other religion dares to make God’s acceptance and favor a gift without merit. Salt of the Earth will be a place where people will learn to understand, receive and apply God’s free gift of grace toward us and how to freely pass on that grace to others.