core practices
Honesty and Integrity
Every aspect of Compass should be conducted with complete integrity. “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another” (Leviticus 19:11, NASB).
We are committed to obeying to civic authorities and complying with governmental regulations and taxation. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God… This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing” (Romans 13:1, 6).
Discipleship Culture
At Compass we want to create a culture that values close one-on-one relationships. We want to exhort one another daily to fully obey the Lord, submit to his authority, study His Word, and surrender our financial decisions to Him.
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).
God’s method of discipleship involves one-on-one relationships and small groups of people who encourage one another regularly to faithful grow in their love and obedience of Jesus Christ. “Iron sharps iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).
True spiritual multiplication occurs when “the things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). When we are faithful to disciple faithful people, generations can be impacted for Christ.
Family Environment
We will seek to build a family of faith by loving one another as ourselves and nurturing close relationships with each other striving for unity of the Spirit.
We will “Encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25), “Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you” (Romans 15:7), “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32), “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2), “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than ourselves” (Philippians 2:3), and “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). We will also resolve any conflict according to Matthew 18:15-17.
Developing close friendships, enjoying fellowship, and having fun are the “icing on the cake” to all that we do. The world does not offer anything comparable to genuine Christian fellowship.
Servant Leadership
Compass will seek to model the servant leadership of Jesus Christ in every relationship and interaction.
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45).
All those who serve in a leadership role must demonstrate the characteristics of a servant —unconditional love, humility, and self-sacrifice. Servant-leaders encourage, want the best, and help empower others. There is no place for the proud or power hungry. We serve others out of humble submission to the Lord Jesus Christ. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
Diligence, courage and rest should characterize our work.
We should be diligence in our work. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23-24, NASB). “… but the precious possession of a man is diligence” (Proverbs 12:27, NASB).
“…Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work…is finished” (1 Chronicles 28:20).
The Lord instituted weekly rest for our physical, mental and spiritual health. And He is able to make six days of work more productive than seven days.
“You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest, you shall rest” (Exodus 34:21).
Improvement and Success
We will seek to improve everything we do by focusing on our mission, delegating to godly capable people, and growing as the Lord provides direction, resources and laborers.
“Select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens” (Exodus 18:21).
We will define ministry success by our faithfulness to obey His direction. We will ask God for His wisdom and creativity.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Commit, Wait and Trust when Making Decisions
We will pray for God’s leading for ministry decisions and direction. We will not move ahead of the Lord’s leading; rather, we will pray and wait until he makes His plans clear.
“Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:5, NKJV).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV).
Seek Counsel
We will regularly seek counsel from humble godly people when making personal and ministry decisions.
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel” Proverbs 12:15).
“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).
Value Each Person
Each person has great worth and their contribution is valued at Compass – veteran and novice, men and women, staff and volunteers. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul describes each follower of Jesus as a different part of the body of Christ all deserving honor. We have different backgrounds, skills, spiritual gifts, and personalities. Humility, submission, investing time in relationships, and demonstrating love and forgiveness will help ensure that those serving with Compass will grow to maturity. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Serving—not financially exploiting—God’s People
Serving people is the focus of this ministry. Individuals are more important than organizations or projects. We will not view the body of Christ as a market to exploit – a house of merchandise. “In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” (John 2:14-16).
We will not view people as customers or donors, but as people that we can lovingly serve and help mature in Christ. “Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you… I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well…” (2 Corinthians 12:14-15).
We recognize that if serving Christ and people is our priority, God Himself promises to provide every need of this ministry. We can be content to wait for the Lord’s provision.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31-33).
“for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am, I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13, NASB).
We will be generous obedient givers and not greedy, realizing that more money does not equal more ministry.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).
Encourage Other Ministries
All believers in Jesus Christ are members of His body, but we have different callings. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good… All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines” (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11).
We are not in competition with other Christian ministries. We will only speak encouragingly regarding our fellow laborers in Christ, and seek to encourage and love those serving in other ministries.
Compass is an apolitical organization.
Our objective is to reach everyone everywhere regardless of their political affiliation or persuasion. We also are committed to follow the example of Christ and to love and serve everyone regardless denomination, country, race and gender.
Therefore, in all our communications we must be careful not to be critical of individual politicians or appear to be aligned with a certain political party or movement. We are called to reach everyone with the message of how to handle money God’s way and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”