Core Values / Operating Principles
The Board of Directors and staff of First Fruit desire to demonstrate integrity and excellence in all that we do in order to bring glory to God. Our Core Values define who we are, as well as how we strive to live our lives, and our Operating Principles explain how we work. We acknowledge that, although the following Values and Operating Principles are central to First Fruit, we fall short of God's righteousness. It is, therefore, in a spirit of humility that we seek to live according to our Values and to use these Principles as guidelines for our ministry.
WE VALUE...
DEPENDENCE ON GOD
We rely on God to reveal where He's moving and how we are called to demonstrate love. We recognize that being led by the Spirit involves risk. We trust in the creativity of God to provide divine answers and imaginative solutions for the complex decisions and situations that we encounter. We are committed to waiting prayerfully to receive our guidance from Him and to trust Him with the outcome.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (NIV)
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NIV)
RICHNESS OF RELATIONSHIP
Following Jesus' relational approach and His example of servanthood, we desire to encourage and serve one another in friendship and cooperation. We are inspired by Jesus' example of loving the Father and loving others. We believe relationships built on trust and respect are not only gratifying, but also lead to wiser decisions and better results.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)
ATTITUDE OF LEARNING
We love to learn through reading, traveling and active listening. We receive counsel from a variety of sources and recognize the value of quality research. We desire to remain teachable, learning from failure as well as success.
Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. Proverbs 1:5 (NIV)
Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life. Proverbs 4:13 (NKJV)
STRENGTH IN DIVERSITY
We celebrate differences in gender, ethnicity, language, culture, and the expressions of worship within the Body of Christ. We believe the Church is stronger and more beautiful because of its diverse gifts. Innovative approaches and a variety of ministry models are fruitful for the expansion of God's kingdom. We embrace the wisdom of the whole global Church and encourage indigenous initiatives.
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NLT)
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ...Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many...The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"
I Corinthians 12:12-13, 21 (NIV)
JOY IN STEWARDSHIP
We trust God as the generous Source of all gifts, spiritual and material. We take delight in the responsibility of stewardship, reflecting regularly on how to be effective and generous with the resources entrusted to us. We mentor others by sharing from our ideas, experiences, knowledge and spiritual gifts.
But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV-UK)
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. I Timothy 6:17-18 (NASB)
OPERATING PRINCIPLES
It is the Lord of the harvest who brings the fields to ripeness. The Bible teaches that some from the body of Christ will plow, some will sow the seed, some will water and some will reap. We know that some ministries will be in fields of great growth and others may not be blessed to see a discernable impact, yet both could equally be following God's calling. Accordingly, the following operating principles reflect how we work.
1. First Fruit seeks to discern where the Holy Spirit is calling us to work, particularly in places marked by significant social and spiritual challenges. Working in an attitude of humility and relying on God's strength, we strive to make grants that will strengthen the Church for the accomplishment of her tasks.
2. We look for granting opportunities that integrate head and heart dynamics. In doing this we seek to look strategically at the broad perspective and compassionately at the people and the need.
3. In all grants we seek clear and compelling outcomes. We value solutions that go to the root causes of needs being addressed.
4. In all but our smallest grants, we emphasize feedback, accountability and clear, culturally appropriate field reports. Our goal is that both we and our grantees will keep improving from lessons learned.
5. In many grants First Fruit is willing to be an early funder, to focus on emerging strategies, to catalyze action, to encourage and develop indigenous leaders and to support local stewardship. We do this knowing these granting strategies may involve more risk.
6. First Fruit makes both small and large grants. Most first grants will be modest. We normally grant for single year projects, however, we will consider multi-year gifts in exceptional circumstances.
7. First Fruit only makes grants from proposals we invite. We seek out these opportunities from many sources and perspectives. Especially important in this process is vision travel and site visits by staff and board members.
8. First Fruit seeks whenever possible to make grants for the work of indigenous ministries or international ministries with nationals in leadership. This is done in the belief that such leaders, working within their own language and culture often have a more fruitful impact in their work.*
9. First Fruit values collaborative action by establishing and maintaining good relationships with other like-minded organizations. We look for opportunities to multiply our efforts and to participate in research that furthers our granting work.
10. First Fruit will on occasion help key ministries think through their organizational and strategic issues. We seek to do this important part of our calling in a spirit of humility.
*Each First Fruit grant, no matter where the ministry is at work, just be given to a publicly-supported 501(c)(3) organization which has appropriate oversight of the use of funds.
