What Do We Really Value? Looking Back, Present, and Forward

Sign-up for a five-day devotional starting on December 23 to prepare yourself for our values discussion.

As we approach the end of the year, we often find ourselves reflecting on what’s truly important. This December, our church is taking a thoughtful step toward articulating our values as a community, and I’m excited to lead us in an exercise that will prepare us for meaningful discussions over the first three weeks in January led by Pastor Dave.

To warm us up for Pastor Dave’s series, on Sunday, December 29, 2024, I’ll be sharing a short message centered around Philippians 4:8:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

This verse challenges us to reflect on the qualities that bring honour to God and guide us to be our best. It’s a fitting foundation as we dive into a time of discovery and sharing about the values that shape our church and our lives.

The Process: Looking Back, Present, and Forward

Values aren’t just ideas we aspire to—they’re revealed through our actions. During the December 29 service, we’ll explore our values by considering four key questions:

1. When have we been at our best? What moments stand out as times of excellence, joy, or deep connection with God and each other?
2. How can we be at our best in the future? What do we need to carry forward to live out our values more fully?
3. When have we longed for something? What moments of longing reveal unfulfilled desires or values we deeply cherish?
4. What might we long for in the future? How can these longings shape our vision and actions?

What to Expect

During the service, we’ll take time to reflect on these questions individually and as a group. To help guide the process, we’ll have values cards available for you to fill out. These cards will ask you to jot down your thoughts about these moments, both past and future. Afterward, we’ll share these reflections together to begin uncovering the shared DNA of our church community.

Warming Up for Pastor Dave’s Series

This Sunday is an important warm-up to a new three-week series starting January 5, where Pastor Dave will lead us through a deeper exploration of our values. Each week in the series will include a short message followed by a time of group discussion, helping us connect these ideas to our faith and our lives. December 29 is our chance to set the stage for these conversations by reflecting on who we are and where God is calling us to go.

Sign Up for the Devotional

To help prepare for Sunday’s message and this season of reflection, we’re offering a five-day devotional running Monday through Friday, December 23-27. Each day, you’ll receive an email with a Bible verse, a reflection, and a prayer to guide your thoughts. This is a wonderful way to ready your heart and mind for our values discussion.

Sign up today to receive these daily devotionals and journey with us through this meaningful process.

Why This Matters

This exercise is about more than just discussion—it’s about warming our hearts and minds to hear God’s voice in our lives and our church. By looking back at when we were at our best and forward to the possibilities ahead, we open ourselves to seeing the unique ways God has shaped and continues to shape our community.

Preparing Your Heart

I encourage you to spend some time this week reflecting on the questions above. Consider moments in your life when you’ve seen God at work, either through a personal experience or something in our church. Think about the values those moments revealed and how they might inspire you going forward.

If you aren’t able to join us on December 29th, you can still participate. The next time you’re at church, pick up a values card, fill it out, and hand it to Pastor Dave. Your voice matters in this process, and your reflections will help us uncover the heart of who we are as a church.

Let’s prepare to enter this season of discovery with open hearts and a willingness to be guided by God’s truth, excellence, and love. I look forward to seeing you on December 29th and hearing your reflections as we journey together into the new year.