Values versus Doctrine

You might have picked up something of this in another part of my Facebook presence.  Some churches - especially those that are evangelical - seem to like to define themselves by the doctrines they hold.  These are often displayed in the entrance area of the church.  These mean little or nothing to almost everyone outside evangelical church traditions. 

In the church where I am a minister we recently decided we would rather be defined by our values than by doctrines.  Of course the values are informed by what we read in scripture.


We value all individuals, young and old, male and female, regardless of wealth, ability, or standing in society. We value communities in which individuals care for one another. We value the kind of love that puts other people’s needs before our own. 


We value justice for all people and long for a world where there is greater fairness and equality. We value truth. We value kindness and compassion. We value deeds more than empty words.

We value the peace that comes from respect for other people who might be different from us in some way. We value the kind of unity that can also celebrate diversity. In other words we value the kind of world about which Jesus taught and for which he gave his life.


Do you think that publicly publicising values rather than doctrines makes more sense for the wider public?

Not offending non-Christians

It's a long time since I posted anything on my "reflections" blog. When I started this blogging it was with a view to providing an occasional comment from a Christian perspective - and I was responding to the encouragement of a Malayan Pastor. There is an automatic link to my Facebook page, so anything I blog about gets posted as a "Note" on Facebook.

Here's the problem: Among my Facebook "friends" are many Christians but also many others who I know in various capacity, and who do not share my Christian faith and values. I don't want to offend them by constantly writing religious stuff (it would certainly be likely to be irrelevant at the least). On the other hand, there are various diary type jottings that some Christians might be glad to read but I don't then write it as I don't want to offend!

So I'm exploring adding a blogspot - or changing the blog I use now. If you read this and have any comments, advice, suggestions, please let me have them.