Franciscan Renewal Center

Franciscan Values at the Franciscan Renewal Center

I would like to share with you some of the core values we collaborated on with staff during that period of study.  These behaviors are how we on staff work to emanate goodness with our community and our guests.

• We value relationship over efficiency.
• We don’t own the results God does.
• Intuition is a superior form of knowing over rationality.
• We accept interruptions as potential opportunities for cooperation with the Spirit.
• We look to the coincidence of opposites for answers.
• We trust in providence.
• Proactive collaboration and cooperation honors our interdependence yet accountability remains clear.
• Magnify the voice of the under-heard.
• Prayerful discernment.
• Within the context of spiritual growth, attendance equals success.
• Potential for spiritual growth and transformation equals success.
• Our priority is cooperation with the Spirit.

Although some of these sound quite theological, they stir inside and create a culture that embodies Franciscan values.  What does it mean to say one is Franciscan in their being and behavior?  Generosity of spirit, simplicity of nature and poverty through detaching from “things” that separate us from the love of God are three. Of course, there are more but this is plenty to begin with.  Our staff works in communion with hundreds of volunteers to provide services to those who visit for any number of our ministry resources.  Our evaluations for staff are also based on these Franciscan behaviors and values. 

Out team of staff and volunteers begin with right relationship in our daily interactions with guests and each other.  We certainly strive for efficiency but not at the expense of relationship.  Improving our registration process, insuring our front desk is staffed with friendly and caring people (not to mention a live person on the phone 12 hours a day versus machine),  listening first before sharing our perspective, forgiving or asking for pardon when we have wronged, consoling and being present.  Business demands efficiency and productivity and we are constantly working on new ways to improve systems. We believe good systems set us free to provide the type of relationship building that is a most important Franciscan value.

My point is this, integrated deep into the core of our collective being, our primary purpose for existing as an institution is for supporting the friars ministry and mission, working side by side with the friars in the vision of inspiring and changing society toward peace and goodness, renewing lives.  We do that here leading people to Christ on that journey.  We return the generous love of God by our service to others.  This spiritual oasis, called The Casa, takes one away from the distractions of modern life, and recharges one to become closer to God.  We do this through the lens of Franciscan spirituality.   

Peace. Renew.  Good.

Charlie Brown, GM