The Biblical Institute had our weekly all-employee meeting today via Zoom webconference.

(I call this meeting our “left hand” meeting, because the goal is for the left hand to know what the right hand is doing.  Matt 6.3 is good theology but it’s bad organizational philosophy.)

Here is the devotion I began the meeting with.

Scripture & prayer: Ephesians 4.1-3.  “I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Do you remember Biblical Institute’s core values?

They are:

• Generosity: We give ourselves away. We don’t exist for the glory of BIZG, we exist for God’s glory. We exist to serve the churches.  We only succeed when the people we serve succeed.
  

  “The starting point for the discussion [of organizational purpose] is the question, ‘Who are we here for?’ We are never here for ourselves. Purpose is always found just across the border from what’s in it for me. It’s about becoming a means to an end that is not you. Those who devote themselves to themselves will eventually have nothing to show for themselves.” (Andy Stanley)

• Openness: We give ourselves to whoever asks. We will not turn down any opportunity to serve a church, or turn away any student, if it is in our power. We will work with anyone who is like-minded. “Anyone who is not against you is for you.” (Lk 9.50).