A great exercise to bring home the connection between values and behaviour is to create a formal ’values commitment’ with your team or ministry unit. Here and on the following page are samples from a couple of different contexts. The behaviours identified are those which are important for that team over the next season or year. Each member should sign the commitment and it should be posted in a place where it’s seen frequently by the team members. Such an exercise should be revisited on a regular basis, e.g. annually, to determine what behaviours commitments are needed for the next period. The Ethics Centre would be happy to help you make this work in your ministry unit.

Music Ministry Team
We commit ourselves to live the following values and to support each other in our daily activities to demonstrate the following behaviours:

COMPASSION

  1. We will be sensitive to the needs and interests of the congregation.
  2. We will speak in love.

RESPECT

  1. We will arrive at practice on time with all our instruments and music and be ready to practice.
  2. We will listen with open ears and a willing spirit.

CELEBRATION

  1. We will recognize the milestones in the lives of the team.
  2. We will have a social gathering at least every three months.

CO-OPERATION

  1. We will remember that we are a ministry team and not individual performers.
  2. We will not assume that the set-up and take-down is the responsibility of a select few.

Community services

RESPECT

  1. We will treat each other and our clients as we would like to be treated.
  2. We will make sure we hear the voices of all stakeholders before making decisions.

CELEBRATION

  1. We will post a note of celebration on the HURRAH! Board at least once a week.
  2. We will recognize the victories of our clients in a manner appropriate to their situation.

EXCELLENCE

  1. We will facilitate scheduling to ensure time for professional development.
  2. We will start each staff meeting with the review of a journal or other relevant article.

INTEGRITY

  1. We will not gossip about each other or our clients.
  2. We will maintain accurate and current records.

CO-OPERATION

  1. We will clean up after ourselves in the staff room.
  2. We will turn out the lights when we are the last to leave a room.