In a Purpose Driven church, every purpose has its own champion. Typically Purpose Driven churches begin by equipping volunteers to lead and serve on each Purpose-based team. As ministries flourish, they develop into full-time paid positions. But there’s more to it than simply finding a warm body to lead the charge. It’s about finding the right person. At Saddleback Church, covenants have always been an important part of church life.
“People become whatever they’re committed to,” says Pastor Rick Warren. “Covenants are the most important part of Saddleback’s CLASSes. They have a membership covenant, a maturity covenant, a ministry covenant, and a missions covenant— all of which members sign at the end of each CLASS.”
Covenants also play an important role when it comes to hiring staff at Saddleback Church. Hiring or enlisting team members that share their values is important to the church, and helps insure that decisions and actions made by staff will move in unity with their Purpose Driven strategy. New staff members are asked to sign a covenant document that clearly articulates the values of the church and the Scriptures that prompt the principles.
Create a Purpose Driven Team Covenant for your Church
You can create a Purpose Driven team covenant by simply deciding what values are important and necessary for your church staff. Then put them down on paper and present them in a covenant format. Keep in mind that a values covenant will look different for each church. Below are convenant examples from Saddleback Church.
Purpose Driven Staff Covenant Values Covenant
We Value Volunteering – Our job as a staff is not to do the ministry, but to involve every member in ministry.
“Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ …” Ephesians 4:12 (NLT)
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We Value Servantheartedness – People are not the interruptions of your ministry. They are your ministry!
“Your attitude must be like my own, for I did not come to be served but to serve …” Matthew 20:28 (LB)
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We Value Diversity – Build on the strengths of those on your team so that their weaknesses become irrelevant.
“Now here is what I am trying to say: All of you together are the one body of Christ, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 (LB)
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We Value Authenticity – You don’t have to be perfect to serve on this staff – but you do have to be authentic.
“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Cor. 4:1-2 (NIV)
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We Value Informality – It is more important to be personal than professional!
“You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy towards each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.” 1 Peter 3:8 (LB)
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We Value Simplicity – We adhere to the “good enough” principle.
“A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.” Proverbs 13:7 (Message)
“God made us plain and simple but we have made ourselves very complicated.” Ecclesiastes 7:29 (GN))
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We Value Flexibility – Blessed are the flexible – for they shall not be broken! We have made the decision that we value GROWTH over CONTROL!
“No one puts new wine into old wineskins. The old skins would burst from the pressure … New wine must be stored in new wineskins.” Matthew 9:17 (NLT)
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We Value Teamwork – We hate gossip. We strive for humility.
“When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NCV)
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We Value Continual Learning – Growing churches and ministries require growing leaders.
“He who loves wisdom loves his own best interest and will be a success.” Proverbs 19:8 (LB)
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We Value Margin – Rest is not just a good idea, it is God’s command.
“It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night … for God wants his loved one to get their proper rest.” Psalm 127:2 (LB)
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We Value Humor – We take God very seriously, but not ourselves.
“Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is a slow death to be gloomy all the time.” Proverbs 17:22 (GN)
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We Value Risk-taking – Make at least one mistake a week. Just not the SAME mistake!
“According to your faith will it be done unto you.” Matthew 9:29 (BSB)
To learn more about creating a Purpose Driven staff covenant, contact our team by visiting pdchurch.flywheelstaging.com/start.
