Belonging to Christ and called by God into his service through KidZ at Heart, we realize we do not serve alone, but as a team with a shared purpose, united by the leading of the Spirit. Modeling Jesus’ community with his disciples, we commit to creating that same environment as we work together, knowing that our unity and care for each other are basic to who we are and how effectively we serve. Therefore, we covenant to live out the following values both personally and corporately.

Transparency: We believe that transparency is vital as we grow in Christ, strive to follow Him closely, and recognize our humanity. While challenges will be overcome and mistakes will be made, we must come face-to-face with our weaknesses and share them together prayerfully and openly to release God’s power among us. Transparency is a combination of openness, communication, and accountability (Rom 12:3; Matt 18:4, 23:12; Jms 5:16)

Kindness: Kindness is defined as gentleness, tenderness, a sympathetic attitude, concern for others and a willingness to do good. According to scripture, kindness is both a fruit of the Holy Spirit’s presence in us (Gal 5:22) and a characteristic we must ‘put on’ because we are a holy people (Col 3:12).

Celebration: We believe that celebration flows out of a grateful heart and is a beautiful way to praise God. Thus, we look for every opportunity to celebrate God’s presence with us, his activity among us, and the obedience of our fellow staff and volunteers. Our meetings and retreats dedicate time for celebration. We seek out opportunities, both planned and spontaneous, to celebrate throughout the year (I Cor 12:26b, Phil 4:4)

Truth-telling: We believe that all truth, no matter how delicate or painful or seemingly inconsequential, contributes to the discernment process. God desires truth in the inward being becaue truth leads to freedom, spiritual transformation, and deeper levels of discernment. Since the Holy Spirit has been given to us to guide us into truth, we seek to offer the truth in love and gentleness rather than hiding truth or “spinning” the truth. Without this kind of honesty, the community is placed in great peril (Acts 5). Because we know this is such a deeply held value, it guides us and gives us courage to go ahead and say the hard thing and support each other in doing so.

Kingdom Building: As a group of believers, we consider the Great Commission to be a fundamental reason for our existence. Therefore, we consider our collective gifts, time and talents to be resources to be used to build up the body of Christ worldwide. If God leads us to project that is “kingdom building” and we are uniquely gifted to meet the need we will trust God to provide in unforeseen ways, not relying solely on our own wisdom (Matt 28:18-19; Eph 2:19-22, 4:11-12; 2 Tim 2:2).

Encouragement: Seeking to encourage one another (1 Thess 5:11), we desire to affirm one another’s value and potential, praise those who are exhibiting fruits of the Spirit, console and strengthen those who are struggling, and exhort those who are straying from God’s best. We covenant to encourage one another by listening to and praying for each other.

Integrity: As members of the leadership community of KidZ at Heart International, “we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men” (2 Cor 8:21 Amplified). In other words, who we are on the inside matches how we express ourselves outwardly to others. We recognize the importance of being integrated, undivided, uncorrupted, and trustworthy in everything we are, say, and do. The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles is important to us because we represent KidZ at Heart and the Lord around the world.

Spiritual Formation: To foster an intimate relationship with God for the sake of others, we value individual and communal spiritual practices both individually and in community for soul training. Our desire to experience true spiritual growth means we will talk openly about our pace of life and human limitations, and intentionally create an atmosphere of honesty, openness and responsiveness that allows spiritual transformation to thrive.

Excellence: Whatever we do, we desire to work at it wholeheartedly as though we were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people (Col 3:23-24). Excellence is demonstrated by humbly offering one’s best to God as an act of worship. Even when we face obstacles, difficulties and discouragement, we desire to maintain a spirit of excellence. We believe that excellence is not perfection but doing the best we can with what we have, acknowledging the need to extend grace to ourselves and to others. Working with excellence is a way of showing that we value the gifts and talent that God has given each of us to fulfill the mission of KidZ at Heart International.

Biblical Accountability: Staff supervisors have a responsibility to those that report to them to help them keep good accounts of their time and the resources entrusted to them by the organization. Not only is this critical for an organization, but it is also biblical, as well. Biblical accountability in community goes a step beyond, though. On a personal level, there is a tendency for us to not want to meddle in the personal affairs of others for fear of seeming to be “judgmental”. Biblical accountability is knowing how to live well in community. It is encouraging fellow believers in right behavior and acceptable actions, loving our neighbor and bearing one another’s burdens. When living in a community, CARING is not meddling. It is a commitment to encourage each other in our individual walk with the Lord, in our ministry and in our living in community. It is “peer care” or “each other care”. (Jn 17; Heb 10:23; Ecc 4:9-12; Phil 2:4; Col 3: 11-14; Jn 13:34-25; Jms 5:19-20)

Transformative Conflict: Transformation is given space to happen when the parties involved submit their points of view to the “wisdom that comes from heaven - seeking first to be pure in motive, willing to yield to others, gentle, always sincere and impartial”. (James 3:17) “…for God wants his children to live in peace.” (I Cor 7:15b) Those involved in conflict will seek to put others ahead of themselves and be concerned, not so much about being “right,” as about attaining the unity of the Body as ones called to live in peace. (Col 3:15) They will remember that truth often lies somewhere in between opposing points of view. May the prayer from the Book of Common Prayer carry them across the thresh-hold from decision-making (and conflict) to discernment. Oh God, by whom we are guided in judgment, and who raises up for us light in the darkness: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do; that your spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Barton, Pgs. 207, 208) See also bottom nine lines on Pg. 27 & top four lines on Pg. 28.

Generosity: We believe that God is the giver of every perfect gift. As such, God has freely given us gifts and resources as a means of blessing others, and it is our joy to freely give them away. We covenant to graciously respond to the needs of others and carry their burdens regardless of the personal cost to us. We sacrificially give of our time, our skill, our encouragement and our financial resources, as a spiritual practice that brings glory to God and increases our capacity for love of God and others. We choose to live openhanded rather than tightfisted, to nurture an abundance mentality over a scarcity mentality, to be faithful stewards of Kingdom resources, and to delight in God-given opportunities to give ot other as the Holy Spirit leads. (Deut. 15:7-8; Mal 3:10; Mt 6:21, 10:8; Acts 20:35; 2 Cor 9:11; Gal 6:2; Heb 13:16; Jms 1:17; I Tim 6:18-19; I Jn 3:17)

In Conclusion… Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony (Col 3:14). So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples (Jn 13:34-15).