Who Are We???
This year Marty and I looked at each other and decided it was time to take a look at who we are as a couple, as a church, and the impact that we want to leave generations to come. I think the beauty about being older and yet starting over is experience. Marty and I have been pastoring in some form in this church for almost 27 years now.
When we started Shiloh in 2022, we knew we needed a mission statement because every church needs a mission statement. After 2020, the only thing that seemed important to us was Jesus’s statement in John 13:34, “A new command I give to you; Love one another as I have loved you” This will always be the root of our intention. We have found that each person and each church has it’s own unique grace and expression of love. We are wanting to take this year to define what that looks like for us as a church.
Every other month on the first Sunday we hold a leader’s meeting. This year we are dedicating these meetings to answering this question together. On April 6 the question was posed, “Who are we?” We had everyone in the room sit down with post it notes and write what came to mind. They took those sticky notes and we put them up on a white board. From there, we read all of the notes and started to see if there was a theme. There was. We grouped them together under what we are now calling core values of Shiloh Family Church. Here are the core values and the notes posted under each of those values.
Core Value - Curiosity
We embrace free will, acceptance, we are a growth minded people, we believe the best in people, we disagree well, curious, curiosity, assuming the best, curious.
We chose to put these qualities under the larger core value of curiosity. We felt like when we choose to stay curious, curiosity bears the fruit of the qualities that were mentioned.
Of all of the core values of Shiloh, we all agreed that curiosity for us is a high value that we are working to move to a core value. Our culture encourages judgement over curiosity. Judgement gets a lot more social media views than trying to understand someone. We are committing to change that culture inside of Shiloh.
Getting understanding and staying curious does not mean that we agree with everyone’s conclusion. It does mean that we commit to going back to something until you look at me and say yes, that is what I am saying.
We look to believe the best in people. We are always looking to learn. We allow for our opinions to change and grow as we get more understanding. Staying curious allows us to stay teachable.
Core Value - Empower
Empowerment, prophetic, courageous, empowering, attentive, empowered, we are a hopeful people, we believe good never runs out, we believe we have abundance of resources, capable, operate in the gifts, declaration, worship, worship, discipleship, worthy, visionary, much, we experience fear but we do not make decisions from fear, mucho freedom.
Empower had the most sticky notes under it. Simply stated, Shiloh is here to see people come into everything that God has for us.
We champion people and we give opportunities for people to grow and become everything God created them to be.
Core Value - Family
Compassionate, safe, healthy family, selfless, patient, family, practical, watching God move in the congregation with love and pressing onward, involved in each others life, break bread, brotherhood, the food the food the food, healthy connection, love, honor, honest, fellowship, family
This core value has been since the beginning of Shiloh. We used the word family in our name because we wanted that to be part of the legacy and the focus that follows this church.
Relationship is where grace lives. Grace is what allows me to see Jesus in you no matter what your behavior looks like. Grace also is what allows me to call out greatness in you. Grace and relationship go hand in hand.
Family means you are never alone. We don’t believe in doing life alone.
Family says I sacrifice what might be best for me to what is best for the group.
Family means that creating memories, having fun, and cultivating relationships is as important as all of the “spiritual” things we do.
Core Value - Laid Down Lover
We are a people of His presence, people of his presence, Holy Spirits vessel, Jesus lovers, Jesus close friend, watching God move in His truth, holy, Bible
A laid down lover is simply a christian who decides in every decision to give God their yes.
A laid down lover is a daily choice. My past doesn’t matter, am I saying yes to Him today.
Over the next year we are going to continue to have these conversations and add to our core values until we feel like we have painted a picture of who we are. From this question of who are we comes everything else. It frames how we will make decisions in the future. It’s allows for healthy correction because we have a clear understanding of what we are choosing to be a part of.
I would encourage you to put the first Sunday on your calendar. Everyone who would like to attend is welcome. This is the place where you can be a part of defining who we are and with that, what are we going to do. Our next leader’s meeting will be June 1st. I hope to see you there!
Blog Post Title One
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Two
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Three
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.