Measurable Values of a Disciple

I just returned from the Right Now Conference in Dallas, TX. As we have been talking about core values and mission statements, here is their mission statement and four measurables to define what success would look like.

Mission Statement -- Our Mission is to help people trade in the pursuit of the American Dream for a work that desperately needs Christ.

A Trader is a new kind of missionary, not defined by geography, but defined by a resolve to...

Choose Daily to sacrifice our time and money to apply The Parable of the Good Samaritan and to "go and do likewise."

Hate Injustice and find specific ways to bring the hope found in Jesus to desperate situations.

Work as Worship because God is glorified when we use our God-given passions and skills with excellence.

Act Swiftly because the time is Right Now!

I sat in on a breakout led by Will Mancini (www.willmancini.com, www.churchunique.com. He is a clarity evangelist and wants us to all have precise clarity about why our individual church exists. He helped Right Now develop these statements. He lays it all out in Church Unique.

Here's my question for discussion: Do you agree that an individual church should have a unique existence and calling? Why don't many churches have such clarity?

The State of the Conversation

What is the state of this ongoing conversation?
I'd love to hear what some folks think.

Here are a few of my thoughts:

I joined the conversation late. I've appreciated the candor with which people have been able to raise important issues.

I've been personally challenged and stretched as a result of this conversation. I've also 'met' many people I did not know previously.

At this point, I am interested in the conversation partners and the next steps. I've been told that there are many 'readers' of the blog who do not participate, or if so, very occasionally. Additionally, there are some who are busy or don't check back often but weight in when they do. Others are more actively involved.

I think for the future, it would be nice to see more voices. Voices from different backgrounds and gifting willing to be honest and to be challenged bluntly without being personally offended.
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I believe that it is time for this conversation to become constructive in the sense of building consensus about some core values, even if building one at a time.

Does any of us doubt that change is needed? Is not the whole Christian life one of repentance?

Let us repent of any sins of our past and present together and move into a more faithful future.

What core can be agree on? Then let's engage in discussion on applying it together.

That's where I want the conversation to go, but like most real life conversations, planning can be futile.