Values
God defines world view.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).
Created in the image of the living God, all people possess intrinsic
value, purpose and meaning. One’s purpose is fully realized only
through a salvific encounter and ongoing relationship with God through
his Son Jesus Christ. In such relationship God leads and empowers
people to be all they were meant to be.
Motivation for ministry flows out of commitment to the Great Command.
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this:
‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love
your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:28-31).
The overflowing love of God that brought about creation is the same
love that motivates and shapes ministry. We come into
relationship with people, particularly the poor, as an overflow of the
love of God toward them and us. We love others as God has loved
us, and within that context invite others to become as we are: friends
and servants of the living God.
The primary people-group we exist to serve is the at-risk youth population of northeast Denver.
Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me
commended me, because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the
fatherless who had none to assist him (Job 29:11f).
It is around the felt needs of this segment of northeast Denver’s
residential poor that Neighborhood Ministries shapes its programs and
strategies.
This core value keeps Neighborhood anchored to an indispensable mark
of Christian character and credibility. In the face of
gentrification, Neighborhood models this dimension of Christ-centered
living to its new neighbors. Neighborhood follows the strategy of
Jesus, who “ministered to the rich on his way to the poor” (John
Perkins).
This value also impacts the makeup of Neighborhood’s leadership
team. Leadership birthed from the at-risk population, especially
those raised up through Neighborhood Ministries, will intentionally
play prominent roles in the leadership of the ministry.
Strategies and methodologies are shaped by the Incarnation.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14
Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and
saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together,
will work you into his most excellent harmonies (Philippians 4:9, The Message).
The Incarnation is both miracle and model: God’s method of salvation
models how we are to reach others. Jesus – the Word – became
flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1, 14); the apostle Paul spent extended time in communities and invited people to imitate him as he did Christ (Acts 20:31; I Corinthians 11:1f).
This model demands character worthy of imitation. The pursuit
of Christian maturity must be a priority for those serving with
Neighborhood Ministries. Staff must strive to dwell in the
community and among people in ways that allows for the examination and
imitation of their lives. This also means, ideally, making the
community home, the place where staff raise their families and love
their neighbors.
|
