Our Values

Planting Churches / Training Leaders

RSMI: Expressing the Kingdom of God in the Earth

RSMI Core Values -The Roots Must Go Deep

Expressing the Kingdom of God in the Earth

Core Values Statement

The following are the foundational values that govern Risen Scepter Ministries International in all our endeavors and undertakings. These values being first, are to be the very underpinning and basis for how we operate and do ministry. Moreover, they are to be the beacon that lights all of our conduct and enterprises in our service to Christ. This attitude toward our service to the Lord Jesus may be summed up in the phrase, “Expressing the Kingdom of God in the Earth.”

This expression is not to be found exhibiting worldly arrogance or pride. Rather, it is to be understood to be a manifestation of the character and nature of our Lord as His representatives, culminating in a heartfelt, genuine love toward those for whom He has given His life.

We choose to never seek personal acknowledgment or reputation in an attempt to elevate ourselves; rather, we must and shall seek only the glory of God for any and all things done through us and our ministry.
Ps. 96:1-9; Isa. 43:12; Hab. 2:14; Lk. 2:13-14; Rom. 16:27; 1 Cor. 10:31; Heb. 13:20-21; 1 Pt. 4:11; Rev. 4:11

Christ-Centered

Jesus Christ and His glory are to be the very center and purpose of our thoughts, words, and actions, both individually and corporately. To this end, He must be recognized as the Head, Authority, Source, and Lord to which we have surrendered our lives.
Rom. 6:4; Rom. 8:38-39; 1 Cor. 11:1-2; Col. 1:17-18; Gal. 2:20; Col. 2:10; Heb. 12:1-2

Bible Affirming

We recognize and affirm the authority of the Bible as God’s self-revelation to humankind, being the very Word(s) of God Himself expressed through His chosen agents and vehicles. It is in the Bible that we not only learn of our Father’s character and being, we also find within its pages what pleases Him as well as His desire and will for our lives. Consequently, to disobey the precepts and principles contained within its pages is to, in effect, disobey God.
Dt. 4:2; Dt. 12:32; Ps. 119:105; Pr. 30:5; Isa. 40:8; Isa. 55:11; Jer. 23:29; Mt. 4:4; Jn. 1:1-2; Jn. 17:17; Rom. 10:17; Eph. 6:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12

Careful Doctrinal Interpretation

Because we consider the Bible as the Word of God, having been God-breathed, and recognizing this knowledge comes with a divine mandate, admonition, and responsibility, we will handle Scripture and its interpretation with the utmost care. We determine never to force the theological fads or man-centered winds of doctrine that blow through the Church in each generation upon Scripture; rather, we will draw from its pages God’s true intent using the proper principles of Biblical interpretation, understanding first its intent in the original context before applying it to our current culture.
Josh. 1:8; Ps. 119:11; Ps. 119:18; Pr. 3:1-2; Mt. 13:1-23; Acts 8:30; Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 2:15-17

Servant Leadership

We understand that Jesus Himself is the “Chief Shepherd,” and hence, Head of the Church. As a result, leaders on every level of this ministry must walk and serve in such a way that they are the living examples of His nature. It was Jesus, in His final hours before the crucifixion, which displayed this nature we are to have as His disciples and servant under-shepherds. Our Lord took on the role of a servant and washed His disciple’s feet, telling them, “For I have given you an example that you should do just as I have done to you.” We are to support, undergird, guard, love, and train the people that He has entrusted to us, not lording it over them but going before them as Christ has gone before us as Chief Shepherd.
Ex. 18:21; Ps. 78:72; Pr. 16:12; Pr. 29:2, 4; Mt. 20:26; Lk. 6:31; Lk. 22:26; Jn. 3:30; 1 Cor. 4:1; Phil. 2:3; Heb 13:17.

Application and Training

We take seriously the directive to involve ourselves wholeheartedly in the building up of the body of Christ through proper biblical instruction. It is RSMI’s Vision to fulfill this directive by Equipping Pastors to Equip their People. However, we have resolved never to teach what we are not willing to do ourselves. In this, we seek to have the heart of Ezra, who was said to “…set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel (Ezra 7:10 ESV)”. As a result, the process must always be… Study – Application – Training Others, in that order, if we are to be faithful to the biblical model.
Dt. 11:18-19; Ezra 7:10; Ps. 32:8; Pr. 4:13; Mt. 5:19; Lk. 6:40; Rom. 2:18-23; Eph. 4:11-16; Col. 3:16; Titus 2:7-8; Jm. 3:1-2

Discipleship

We will be determined to practice discipleship on all levels of maturity and toward all ages and to train others to do so as well. This we will do by teaching them not only to obey the commands of the Lord Jesus but also to put Him and His purpose first in their lives. It is our desire to help believers understand that discipleship and growing into the likeness of Christ will come with a cost. This cost requires a separation from the world, yet might also entail a severing of relationships, even close ones, as well as possibly possessions and any other entity of thing that might come between us and His Lordship.  We are to lay down our claim to our own lives and take up the cross of Christ, surrendered to His will, and follow Him.
Mt. 16:24-25 c.f. Mk. 8:34; Lk. 9:23; Lk. 6:40; Lk. 14:26, 33; Jn. 13:16-17; Jn. 13:34-35; Jn. 15:1-17; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:1; Gal. 5:24; Gal. 6:6; 2 Tim 2:2

Biblical Integrity and Honor

Integrity and fear/reverence of God go hand in hand. Hence, as individuals, we will walk in integrity that, to the best of our ability, exemplifies the life of Christ. One who has integrity speaks of someone who is whole, having moral uprightness, a person who conducts his or her life with honesty, honor, and transparency. This is an integrity which stays firmly fixed, and stable found centered in a morality as God defines it, infused with a reverence of His majesty. However, this means that the integrity we are speaking of is now and always shall be dependent on God Himself and His encompassing, abundant grace. The culmination of this integrity, which must dwell in our hearts individually, will be activities that are carried out based upon a high moral standard in all our undertakings on behalf of God and His kingdom.
Gen. 40:15; 1 Kgs. 9:4; 2 Kgs. 22:7; Neh. 5:14-19; Job 2:9; Ps. 7:8; Pr. 22:11; Isa. 33:15; Acts 23:1; 2 Cor. 4:2; 1 Tim. 3:9; Titus 2:7; Heb. 13:18; Jm. 1:22-25

Faithfulness and Commitment

Those that serve the Lord through Risen Scepter are expected to remain faithful to the commitment by which they have aligned themselves to this ministry. Further, they are to acknowledge on an ongoing basis the initial covenant they declared, seeing it as a triumvirate between RSMI, Themselves, and God. Additionally, owing to this truth, each participating person and ministry entity must remain mutually submitted to each other, with an accountability to the leadership of RSMI and ultimately God Himself. This faithfulness will be seen in our actions as we daily fulfill our roles and duties as part of this ministry.
1 Sam. 12:24; 2 Ch. 19:9; Ps. 37:5; Pr. 28:20; Lk. 9:62; Rom. 6:13; Phil. 3:14; Col. 3:23; Rev. 3:7-10

Love and Compassion

Love and Compassion together must form one whole, not only in the life of every believer but also in the life of every person associated with RSMI. True Christian love must never be seen without also displaying the compassion of Christ, and conversely, a loveless compassion is not compassion at all as the Bible defines it. Love and compassion will be seen in not only what we do with our finances but how we spend our time and resources as well. Love and Compassion do not judge or esteem one person over another, yet with wisdom determines what is best in each specific situation for all persons involved, being guided by the heart and mind of Christ through the discernment of the Holy Spirit. We will always consider the need of the poor, the broken, the disenfranchised, the widow, the stranger, and the orphan, whether they are in Christ or not, that we might walk as Him.
Deut. 16:17; Zech. 7:10; Mt. 7:12; 9:36; Lk. 10:25-37; Gal. 6:2; Eph. 4:32; 1 Pt. 3:8; 4:10

Humility

We will choose daily to walk in a sincere humility that places others before ourselves and relies on the bountiful grace of God rather than the false notion of our own abilities apart from Him. Those abilities, having ultimately come from God must be bathed by His presence and sanctified by His Spirit to be found worthy of using for His glory. Therefore, we determine to never take credit for the things done while in the body, but rather, reflect all praise by man given to us for our actions, to a holy and worthy God who is the Author of all things good and right.
2 Sam 7:18-29; Ps. 8:4; Ps. 131:1; Ps. 138:6; Pr. 15:12; Pr. 16:20; Pr. 29:23; Ec. 5:2; Isa. 57:15; Jer. 13:15; Mic. 6:8; Mt. 18:2-4; Mk. 10:43; Lk. 18:14; Jn. 13:14-16; Rom. 12:16; 1 Cor. 1:29; 1 Cor. 13:4; 2 Cor. 3:5; Col. 3:12-14; 1 Pt. 3:8; 1 Pt. 5:3

Personal Growth and Holiness

All those that are associated with RSMI must recognize and partake in a yearly program of personal growth that is centered in the desire to progressively become more like the Lord Jesus with respect to His character and nature. We must examine ourselves continually in the light of Scripture, the life of Christ, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, putting aside those things that are not pleasing to Him. This is a lifelong journey that we must participate in proactively by yielding to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, bringing about His fruit. We do understand that the fullness of this transformation will not take place until the coming of Christ, yet, as we grow daily in Christ-likeness, knowledge of His Word, and knowledge of the Lord Himself, we will find that it brings with it a fully-orbed relational soundness and wisdom that will benefit ourselves, our families, and the kingdom of God.
Mt. 13:22-23; Mk. 4:26-29; Lk. 1:80; Lk. 2:52; 1 Cor. 3:6-7; 1 Cor. 14:20; 2 Cor. 7:1; 2 Cor. 9:10; Gal. 5:24; Phil. 1:6; Phil. 1:9; Phil. 3:12-16; Col. 1:10; Col. 1:28; 1 Thess. 3:12-13; Heb. 5:11-14; Heb. 6:1-2; Jm. 1:4; 1 Pt. 2:1-2; 2 Pt. 3:18

Unity of Purpose

To achieve unity of purpose, there must be agreement, or we will be unable to walk together. It is expected that each individual in RSMI must come into unity in no less than four specific areas: The Vision – The Mission – The Core Values – and The Statement of Faith, if they are to consider themselves as part of this ministry. This unity is not to be seen in the words that we speak only, but the actions that we take as well. Additionally, these words and deeds are to emanate from a pure and sincere heart of service. This heart, which is to be seen as the very center of our desires, is to find its fulfillment first and foremost in the pleasure of God, expecting nothing but to honor Him and to serve those that He has created with a life laid down. It must be our earnest longing to do our part to bring forth the mandate that we have received from the Father. Doing this by living daily with the intention to glorify Him through this ministry and by being His representatives to a world that so desperately needs Him.
2 Chron. 30:12; Ps. 133:1; Amos 3:3; Mt. 18:15; Jn. 13:35; Jn. 17:23; Rom. 6:5; Rom. 12:16; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Cor. 12:12; 1 Cor. 12:14; 1 Cor. 12:26; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 1:10; Eph. 4:3; Eph. 4:11-13; Phil. 2:1-3; Col. 3:14; 1 Pt. 3:8; 1 Jn. 4:12

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Express the Kingdom of God in the Earth

The RSMI Family of Ministries