The Ethos of ACOP

[Karlena]

Factors that pollute the environment include: distrust, lack of transparency; lack of honesty, poor communication, judgmental attitudes, manipulative/controlling behaviour, unresolved conflicts, selfish agendas, “cliques,” rigidity.

A key word that I would use to describe ACOP is OPENNESS. The word “openness encompasses being accepting/relational (e.g. open to new relationships; open to listening to opinions that may differ from our own), generous (open hands ready to give time and other resources), hopeful (open to a blessed and glorious future that God is working out in our lives), Spirit-led (wide, wide open to listen for the voice of the Spirit and discern where He is leading; open to whatever God has or wants to do…even if it is out of our comfort zone), and gracious (open to extend grace to others and ourselves; open to forgive; learn from past mistakes; be non-judgmental and see that we are all on the Potter’s wheel).

[Micah]

Karlena nailed these polluting factors on the head. I have noticed more organizational disconnects and “rotting” because of seemingly small things like unresolved conflicts, poor communication and lack of honesty than any substantial or obvious thing. I find that the slow, internal things destroy the attitude and “buy-in” of the members of an organization, and then passive-aggressive gossip (which is not always words, sometimes non-verbal gossip is more than enough) begins to tear at the seams. In my experience, communication is perhaps the greatest factor in the pollution of an organization, and therefore it is essential that we are careful (as leaders and members of organizations) to always make an effort to clearly communicate what we are seeking or even areas in which we have been hurt, allowing for vulnerability and healing to take place.

[Caleb]

The sad truth is that organizations are easily polluted by people. when we bring our imperfection to an organization, the whole dynamic can be polluted quickly. As Christian leaders, there is a need to daily give up ourselves for the work of God, forfeiting any unloyalty, lack of faith and commitment, unnecessary discord and dissention, and judgmental or exclusive thoughts toward one another. We need to build each other up, and in turn carefully examine our feelings to know if they are of God or of ourselves.

to describe the ethos of ACOP, I think I would use the word messenger. ACOP has committed its entire history to sending out messengers of the Gospel to all nations. We seek out the lost in order to tell them the good news of Jesus. As messengers, we are passionate about the message being given and will do whatever it takes, whether that means shouting it out from the rooftops, or intersecting the lives of others and building relationship. Jesus’ love is a message that needs to be delivered throughout everyday life.

[Rachel]

I would use the word, “Family.” It is a lot similar to Ken Parker’s word, “Relational” and Stan Powers word, “Acceptance.” But it brings both those words together. Because of the relationships throughout ACOP, people bond with each other in a way that brothers and sisters do. ACOP brings people together. That is what the Church is supposed to do. We are the body of Christ.

[Nate]

Having a culture where you feel like failure brings shame is something that really pollutes an environment, especially in a place that needs/wants to be experimental and be willing to try new things. I have found that ACOP has been really great at having a gracious and encouraging culture to try new things and embrace failure.