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01.

THE MISSION

MISSION, VISION, + CULTURE

In this section, you will review why we exist and how we behave as an organization. As we grow as an organization part of this will consist of new participants like yourself.  We pray for multiplication and are grateful for it, however, growth also creates a challenge to keep true to who we are. With each new generation of groups, we must fight to stay true to the core of why we exist and how we behave. Primarily because this vision was given to us by God. This is why it is imperative that we over-communicate our Mission, Vision, and Culture. As a participant, you are a torchbearer and protector in these areas. If at any time during your participation you have questions regarding these topics please do not hesitate to contact your leader or us.

Ordinary Women is a Divinely-inspired movement that will sweep across this nation and change society through intentional discipleship that produces exponential growth.

 

The vision for OW is big, and that makes it scary. This is all the more reason to pursue it. We are tired of pursuing goals that we can obtain within our abilities. We are willing to live by faith and in a way that requires God to move in order to accomplish what he has put on our hearts. Playing it safe is over.

 

Mission: To Make Disciples Who Make Disciples

 

This is also what Jesus called us to in the Great Commission. So nothing new here, however, we can quickly drift from the mission if we are not careful. We could easily become a Bible study that is focused on learning and gaining knowledge but doing nothing with it. We could turn into a social gathering. We could become consumers waiting for our leader to bring us our next morsel of food. However we must keep our mission at front and center so we stay true to what Jesus has called us to do.

Intimacy

We prioritize our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, knowing that our identity can only be found in Him. Everything in our Christian walk flows from our time spent with the Lord. We long to grow intimate with Christ, making our faith personal. Intimacy with Jesus births the passion that fuels our faith.

Relationship

Instead of individualism and isolation, we commit to sacrificing our time and schedule to invest in others; building intentional relationships anchored in the Lord. We do what we say, make time for others, and maintain teachable hearts. We understand that our lives matter because others’ lives depend on us.

Multiplication

We commit to being disciples that make disciples; focused on putting our faith into action. We act out of calling from a place of intimacy and passion produced in time spent with God. First we sit and listen, and then we go and do.

Culture defines how we act, respond, and what we value. Here are some cultural distinctives we believe are essential to becoming an effective disciple maker. Use these OM cultures to guide actions and conversations with your group.

  • We grow in secret, not in public

    Intimacy with Jesus comes first. We grow in secret with the Lord, focused on growing in relationship with Him. From this place of intimacy, He will ignite passion; and from this passion, purpose. Instead of living a life of doing, we live a life of being with Him. Our calling comes from abiding and being with Him.

  • Major in the majors and minor in the minors

    Each of us comes from different backgrounds and beliefs, but we are united in our pursuit of Jesus and minor differences will not cause division. Part of becoming a mature disciple is knowing what hills to die on and how to collaborate with disciple-makers who have different theological viewpoints. We strive for strong doctrine and uniting around the absolutes, while setting aside the differences that will not be resolved this side of heaven. We agree we are all here because we love Jesus and want to grow as disciples. We will stay focused–and help each other stay focused–on the essentials. Let’s unite, not divide!

  • Growing big people, not a big organization

    The purpose of OW is to grow the individual so they are not only a disciple, but a disciple-maker. We believe that growing big people is the mission of OW . The only way OW grows as an organization is by growing as people.

  • God pleasers, not people pleasers

    OW is aimed at only pleasing Jesus and glorifying Him alone. The Word of God says that the Gospel is offensive, however, we will not back down from navigating that challenge and view it as an attribute of true discipleship.

  • Glorify only the name of Jesus, no man

    We are not here to promote a person or their brand, or make this ministry a one-man-show. We’re a movement of many leaders who are about Jesus and making Him famous.

  • Fun not phony

    We are disciple-makers filled with the Holy Spirit and the joy of the Lord. We embrace being ordinary and are authentic in our faith. With lightheartedness we acknowledge our shortcomings and do not take ourselves too seriously. After all, we are each a work in progress. We share the nitty-gritty of our lives with each other instead of maintaining a phony facade. We believe that we can have fun in the adventurous pursuit of following Jesus and living life on mission. When we are called to the uncomfortable, we will fight to keep the joy and excitement of the invitation ahead of us.

  • High challenge, high grace

    When we employ these two attitudes together, participants are empowered and energized to continue forward in their faith pursuits. OW is a high-challenge environment. We are tired of being coddled. We are about taking responsibility for our growth in Christ. We are not consumers; we want a challenge because no change happens without it. Rarely do we value participation trophies or things that come easily. What value are we placing on our faith if we are not willing to sacrifice and challenge our minds and bodies for it? 

     

    High-grace arrives as we take the risk in high-challenge. We know God is for us and delights in our effort to obey Him. Even when our efforts fail we are confident that his love and relationship with us remains steadfast.

  • Willingness over ability

    As we read the Bible, we see over and over again God using the ordinary to do the extraordinary work of Kingdom building. God isn’t moved by a person’s extraordinary talents or abilities, but by faith and willing hearts. Willingness puts our faith in the Lord to accomplish what He is calling us to do, despite our abilities.

  • Contributors not consumers

    OW is not a social club. We are committed to work hard and dedicate our lives to the Gospel and discipleship. This requires that we change our mindset from spectators and consumers to players and participants.

  • Attitude of gratitude

    We are grateful for a God that rescues. That gratefulness moves us to action. There will be times when we will be discouraged or burnt out in ministry, but by living in gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice, we will stay focused on our pursuit of discipleship.

  • Kingdom first

    We will be inconvenienced. Our time, resources, and anything we hold valuable belongs to God, and what He chooses to use we willingly surrender for a greater purpose.

  • Work like it depends on us, pray like it depends on Him

    Nothing of eternal significance happens apart from prayer. We choose to work hard and pray hard. Prayer throughout your study and in your group is essential to being an Ordinary Woman.

1. Mission/Vision

Ordinary Women is a Divinely-inspired movement that will sweep across this nation and change society through intentional discipleship that produces exponential growth.

 

The vision for OW is big, and that makes it scary. This is all the more reason to pursue it. We are tired of pursuing goals that we can obtain within our abilities. We are willing to live by faith and in a way that requires God to move in order to accomplish what he has put on our hearts. Playing it safe is over.

 

Mission: To Make Disciples Who Make Disciples

 

This is also what Jesus called us to in the Great Commission. So nothing new here, however, we can quickly drift from the mission if we are not careful. We could easily become a Bible study that is focused on learning and gaining knowledge but doing nothing with it. We could turn into a social gathering. We could become consumers waiting for our leader to bring us our next morsel of food. However we must keep our mission at front and center so we stay true to what Jesus has called us to do.

2. Core Values

Intimacy

We prioritize our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, knowing that our identity can only be found in Him. Everything in our Christian walk flows from our time spent with the Lord. We long to grow intimate with Christ, making our faith personal. Intimacy with Jesus births the passion that fuels our faith.

Relationship

Instead of individualism and isolation, we commit to sacrificing our time and schedule to invest in others; building intentional relationships anchored in the Lord. We do what we say, make time for others, and maintain teachable hearts. We understand that our lives matter because others’ lives depend on us.

Multiplication

We commit to being disciples that make disciples; focused on putting our faith into action. We act out of calling from a place of intimacy and passion produced in time spent with God. First we sit and listen, and then we go and do.

3. Culture

Culture defines how we act, respond, and what we value. Here are some cultural distinctives we believe are essential to becoming an effective disciple maker. Use these OM cultures to guide actions and conversations with your group.

  • We grow in secret, not in public

    Intimacy with Jesus comes first. We grow in secret with the Lord, focused on growing in relationship with Him. From this place of intimacy, He will ignite passion; and from this passion, purpose. Instead of living a life of doing, we live a life of being with Him. Our calling comes from abiding and being with Him.

  • Major in the majors and minor in the minors

    Each of us comes from different backgrounds and beliefs, but we are united in our pursuit of Jesus and minor differences will not cause division. Part of becoming a mature disciple is knowing what hills to die on and how to collaborate with disciple-makers who have different theological viewpoints. We strive for strong doctrine and uniting around the absolutes, while setting aside the differences that will not be resolved this side of heaven. We agree we are all here because we love Jesus and want to grow as disciples. We will stay focused–and help each other stay focused–on the essentials. Let’s unite, not divide!

  • Growing big people, not a big organization

    The purpose of OW is to grow the individual so they are not only a disciple, but a disciple-maker. We believe that growing big people is the mission of OW . The only way OW grows as an organization is by growing as people.

  • God pleasers, not people pleasers

    OW is aimed at only pleasing Jesus and glorifying Him alone. The Word of God says that the Gospel is offensive, however, we will not back down from navigating that challenge and view it as an attribute of true discipleship.

  • Glorify only the name of Jesus, no man

    We are not here to promote a person or their brand, or make this ministry a one-man-show. We’re a movement of many leaders who are about Jesus and making Him famous.

  • Fun not phony

    We are disciple-makers filled with the Holy Spirit and the joy of the Lord. We embrace being ordinary and are authentic in our faith. With lightheartedness we acknowledge our shortcomings and do not take ourselves too seriously. After all, we are each a work in progress. We share the nitty-gritty of our lives with each other instead of maintaining a phony facade. We believe that we can have fun in the adventurous pursuit of following Jesus and living life on mission. When we are called to the uncomfortable, we will fight to keep the joy and excitement of the invitation ahead of us.

  • High challenge, high grace

    When we employ these two attitudes together, participants are empowered and energized to continue forward in their faith pursuits. OW is a high-challenge environment. We are tired of being coddled. We are about taking responsibility for our growth in Christ. We are not consumers; we want a challenge because no change happens without it. Rarely do we value participation trophies or things that come easily. What value are we placing on our faith if we are not willing to sacrifice and challenge our minds and bodies for it? 

     

    High-grace arrives as we take the risk in high-challenge. We know God is for us and delights in our effort to obey Him. Even when our efforts fail we are confident that his love and relationship with us remains steadfast.

  • Willingness over ability

    As we read the Bible, we see over and over again God using the ordinary to do the extraordinary work of Kingdom building. God isn’t moved by a person’s extraordinary talents or abilities, but by faith and willing hearts. Willingness puts our faith in the Lord to accomplish what He is calling us to do, despite our abilities.

  • Contributors not consumers

    OW is not a social club. We are committed to work hard and dedicate our lives to the Gospel and discipleship. This requires that we change our mindset from spectators and consumers to players and participants.

  • Attitude of gratitude

    We are grateful for a God that rescues. That gratefulness moves us to action. There will be times when we will be discouraged or burnt out in ministry, but by living in gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice, we will stay focused on our pursuit of discipleship.

  • Kingdom first

    We will be inconvenienced. Our time, resources, and anything we hold valuable belongs to God, and what He chooses to use we willingly surrender for a greater purpose.

  • Work like it depends on us, pray like it depends on Him

    Nothing of eternal significance happens apart from prayer. We choose to work hard and pray hard. Prayer throughout your study and in your group is essential to being an Ordinary Woman.

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