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?