Most people don't think of themselves as leaders. But leadership has less to do with a title and more to do with a decision—to show up fully, invest in the people around you, and stay anchored to what actually matters.
That kind of leadership doesn't happen by accident. It's shaped by values. Your values tell you what to prioritize when things get busy, how to treat people when it's inconvenient, and why the work is worth doing in the first place.
Here are the five values that define what it looks like to lead with purpose—and what they look like when they move from poster-worthy words to the way you actually live and serve.
5 Values That Define Purpose-Driven Leaders
1. We Run After the One
"Lost people matter to God—so we'll do anything and everything we can to reach just one more."
It's easy to get caught up in the scale of a mission and forget that impact is almost always one conversation, one relationship, one moment at a time. This value is a constant reorientation back to that. Not the crowd—the one. Not the programming—the person.
Running after “the one” means setting aside what's comfortable or convenient. It means being the kind of person who makes following Jesus feel possible—not intimidating—for someone who's still figuring it out. It means actually knowing people outside your usual circles, not just intending to.
What this looks like in practice:
- Setting aside personal preferences to reach just one more person
- Doing what others won't do to reach people others won't reach
- Making the message of Jesus clear and accessible
- Actively pursuing personal relationships with people outside the church
Do you have a specific "one"—someone you're praying for or investing in right now? What's one small step you could take this week to run after them?
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?” Luke 15:4
2. We Pursue Excellence
"God gives his best for us—and he deserves ours."
Excellence is often used as a synonym for perfection. But true excellence isn’t about impressing anyone or making everything look polished. It's a decision to bring your full attention and effort to whatever is in front of you, because what you're doing matters.
Sloppy work creates distractions. And distractions get in the way of people hearing and seeing what they came for. When leaders pursue excellence—in the details, in their preparation, in how they treat their craft—it clears a path. It lets people focus on what's actually important.
This value also asks a harder question: not just are you doing good work, but is this the most impactful use of your time and energy? Good things can crowd out better things. Excellence means being honest about that.
What this looks like in practice:
- Paying attention to details that shape someone's experience
- Staying focused on what's most important, not just what's urgent
- Giving full effort with a sense of urgency
- Doing quality work and always looking to improve
- Never stopping the pursuit of growth and learning
How does the way you serve—the care, the preparation, the follow-through—help people focus on Jesus instead of distractions?
“Whatever you do, do well.” Ecclesiastes 9:10
3. We Prioritize Relationships
"Getting relationships right is how we most effectively lead people to Jesus."
Relationships aren't a tactic—they're the whole point. People don't move spiritually because of clever programming. They move because someone who knew them well enough to care also cared enough to invite them somewhere meaningful.
Leadership that prioritizes relationships looks like slowing down enough to actually know the people you're serving alongside. It looks like choosing to honor someone even when it costs you something. It looks like following up, building trust over time, and never making someone feel like a project.
What this looks like in practice:
- Always honoring the people around you
- Actively building connections with your team and your community
- Choosing collaboration over isolation
- Making every interaction feel personal—not like just another task to check off
Is there a relationship in your life that’s felt more functional than personal? What would it look like to invest in that person this week?
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10
4. We Deploy People for Impact
"People possess God-given gifts waiting to be unlocked for Kingdom impact."
Every person you meet has something in them that hasn't been fully used yet. Something God put there. And one of the most significant things you can do as a leader is help them find it.
This value flips the script on what leadership is for. It's not about building your team to serve your vision—it's about developing people so they can step into theirs. That means seeing people clearly, calling out what you notice, and then actually making room for them to use it. Not just filling a slot. Placing people where they'll grow.
It's shoulder-to-shoulder leadership. You give people real responsibility, real tools, and real trust—and then you stay close enough to develop them as you go.
What this looks like in practice:
- Identifying and calling out the strengths you see in others
- Placing people in ministry roles where they'll thrive, not just where there's a need
- Giving people the tools and authority they need to succeed
- Developing others while working alongside them—not just delegating from a distance
What strengths or gifts has God given you that you get to use when you serve? And when you recognize those gifts in someone else—how do you invite them in?
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24
5. We Are Real and Relatable
"Anyone should be able to engage with our church and feel welcome to be in process—regardless of their story."
Nobody shows up with everything figured out. And a leader who pretends otherwise doesn't make people feel inspired—they make people feel behind.
When you lead with authenticity, something shifts in the room. People stop performing and start engaging. They stop hiding and start asking real questions. That only happens when the leader goes first—with the kind of genuine, grounded honesty that says: I'm in process too, and that's okay.
Integrity, vulnerability, and warmth aren't soft skills. They're the foundation of any environment where people feel safe enough to actually grow.
What this looks like in practice:
- Acting with integrity in every context—whether you’re at home or at work, in public or in private
- Practicing appropriate vulnerability (being honest without oversharing)
- Modeling relatability so others feel welcomed, not performed at
How do people experience you? Would they encounter the same version of you on a platform as they would on a Tuesday afternoon?
“The whole point of what we're urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God.” 1 Timothy 1:5 (MSG)
Values Are Only as Real as What They Produce
These aren't aspirational phrases—they're a description of what stewarding influence and relationships actually looks like in the day-to-day: in how you treat a stranger, how you develop the someone who's still finding their footing, how you show up for the person you've been praying for all year.
We all have influence in the lives of the people around us. The question is what we'll do with it. These values help shape leaders who are collaborative, grounded, and committed to helping people take meaningful steps toward Jesus.
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Ready to step into your purpose? Find a place to serve at LCBC and use your gifts to inspire, encourage, and build others up.
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LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can’t wait to connect with you!