Make a bold, new, creative mistake, don't make this mistake. Don't make the mistake of not understanding the difference between a stated value, a core value. 

There's a huge difference between a stated value and a core value. It's very common for church planters and churches to have a great set of core values that they've developed when they take a course like this. You visit the church and they've got the core values in the worship bulletin. They got the core values framed, but how do you know whether it really is a core value or a stated value? The obvious: by their behaviors.

You've got the one circle over here, your stated values. That's your statement that you're about to write. You've got your ministry behaviors over here. That's what you do. When I look at what you do, I can find out whether or not it reflects what you say you value by how much intersection there is.

Here's a real common one. For us, a core value is lost people matter to God. You visit the church, you just start asking around, nobody has a friend who's just not another church member in the same spiritual ghetto. They're not praying for these friends they don't have to come to Christ because they don't have friends to pray for. They're not praying even for courage to do this. Look at this statement, lost people matter to God. Our driving value.

The other one, the hard driving value is a heart for missions to unreached people. You look at their budget, no money goes to anything related to unreached peoples. You listen to their prayers week in and week out, nobody's praying for unreached peoples. Heads up, you're about to write a statement, make sure that you understand the statement you're writing is stated values. You'll find out when you're on the field whether or not your stated values are your core values by the behaviors of your people.

True story. Core value, diversity and worship, and on the basis of that core value this couple accepted a call. Follow with me as I read it.

"Fresh out of seminary, my husband and I began ministry at an established 850-member church in a large city. During the interview process we were impressed by the church's forward thinking missions and values. We were excited to join such an apparently dynamic ministry. As time passed however it became clear that there was far more bark than bite at the church. While the church on the surface said they valued outreach, character, and innovation, the no rocking ethos meant that it's actual directive was don't offend anyone. Don't take risks, and don't deal with hidden sense. It took more than three years for us to figure that out. We also learned from experience that simply changing a church's statement of core values does not automatically change its culture. One of our churches stated core values was diversity and worship styles. Apparently the music director never got that memo as he vehemently fought any efforts to introduce contemporary elements into the worship service."

He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the aspiring church planter.