Our CORE Values
Our CORE values are what we use as a framework for everything we do at Urban Story. Check out our 9 CORE Values below
We Value The Bible
Urban Story is an extension of the wider body of Christ committed to equipping the saints for works of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13). We believe the Bible to be God’s only inspired Word. It is our sole and sufficient guide in matters of faith and practice. We are to read, study, memorize, and meditate upon its precepts. Most of all, we are to put its principles into practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalms 119:9, 11; Joshua 1:8; James 1:22)
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We Value High CHaracter
Urban Story strives to produce high character in its staff and volunteers. We are committed to seeing leaders raised up in the body of Christ. In order for the Kingdom of God to advance, leaders must be raised up in the Body of Christ. We value high character over high giftedness in our ministries. We want to see every leader that participates in the ministry of Urban Story be in it for the long haul, this requires character. (1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 28:6, 1 Peter 3:16.)
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We Value Fairness
At Urban Story we strive to see everyone treated fairly. That means that we ask questions instead of giving answers. We believe that it is important to create a culture of listening. Many people can talk over or misunderstand the people they serve and work with, we believe in bringing value to everyone’s story and experience. Correctly understanding the people we minister to will give us the ability to treat them fairly. In this endeavor we implement urban ministry training including trauma informed training in order to achieve the goal of fairness, listening, and understanding everyone's point of view .(Proverbs 31:9, Psalm 106:3, Romans 2:11, James 1:19)
We Value Honesty
Honesty is the foundation of trust. If you are unable to be honest towards your ministry leader, your ministry team, your donors, or those you minister to, you cannot establish a culture of trust. Trust is the most important part of running a team. We encourage all of our staff and volunteers to be honest in their dealings with each other. One particular area of honesty we strive to maintain is in our numbers. At Urban Story we want to present accurate statistics for ministry impact that do not exaggerate the effectiveness of our ministry. When people describe how Urban Story operates we want them to see us as authentic in every area and not hyperbolized or hyped up in any way. (Proverbs 12:22, Colossians 3:9, Ephesians 4:25, Proverbs 16:28)
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We Value Discipleship
Discipleship represents multiplication. We believe that God has called Urban Story to equip the saints for works of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16), so that we can duplicate our efforts. In order to see generational growth we must engage in discipleship multiplication. Urban Story does not put its emphasis on events that draw big crowds, but instead on people and relationships. We value building big people and not bigger buildings. In order to achieve that goal we have developed training and resources in order to raise up our volunteers and Urban Story Family members in our neighborhoods. (Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 2:2.)
We Value Outreach
We believe outreach is important because it gives people the opportunity to hear the good news! The Bible says in Romans 10:14-15, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? Even as it is written, ``How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!” In order for people who are lost to hear the Gospel they have to be reached out to. Outreach is important to us because we want to go above and beyond for the people we minister to. Many of our Urban Story Family have been rejected, disappointed, and abandoned in their lives, we want to be an extension of Jesus and His radical pursuit not only of the lost, but of the least of these. (Mark 16:15, Romans 10:14, Matthew 25:35-40, 2 Timothy 4:2)
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We value being Spirit Led
Being led by the Spirit is an essential part of a successful ministry. Psalms 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the Lord protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.” Many ministries nowadays are built upon human intellect and practical understanding. At Urban Story we commit ourselves to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit in every decision we make. We know we will be successful in our ministry endeavors not because of the plans we have made, but because of our obedience to the voice of God. (John 16:13, Romans 8:14, Psalms 143:10, Galatians 5:16)
We value Prayer
Prayer is what fuels us to do what we do. At Urban Story we value prayer because it changes things. The Bible says in James 5:16, “The earnest prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Without communication with God we cannot receive the instructions we need in order to move forward in any area of our lives or ministry. At Urban Story we work in areas that are experiencing brokenness and the Bible gives us a solution. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God is calling His people to humble themselves and turn away from man’s wisdom and individual ability to rely upon Him through prayer. (Philipians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Timothy 2:1-4)
We Value The Local Church
We believe that the local church is set up to facilitate the harvest of new believers into the Kingdom. At Urban Story we want to partner with local churches in order to equip local church members to disciple Urban Story Family members. The local church is made up of many parts. Some of those parts are Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, Elders, and Deacons. Urban Story values the involvement of the local church in our ministries. At Urban Story we wish to create fruitful partnerships with the local church to see generational change in urban communities. (1 Timothy 3:15, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 3:10.)