Our Values and Mission

Mission: Drive positive cultural change through media.

Both the cultural values we promote and the company values we uphold are integrally based on the Bible, the ultimate source of wisdom and the inspired, infallible, inerrant word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). If there is any conflict the Bible supersedes any of our written values.

Mission, values, and respect for and focus on our user come above any monetary reward. Making money by producing an excellent product for others to enjoy is an important part of our company, but if we compromise our mission and values, or begin to focus on short-term gain over long-term reward, we ultimately fail.

Company Values

At the heart of our company values is one word: Love. Each of the following company values is at its core a form of love, which is, in essence, seeking the good of others as much as you desire good for yourself. This love in our company has three objects: God, those outside the company, and those inside the company. Each of the following core values can be also thought of in the context of those three objects of our love.

Core Values: Truth, Respect, Creativity, Courage, Excellence

Secondary Values: Stewardship, Service, Humility, Grace, Fun, Accountability

Truth

Why? We believe in objective, created reality, and thus we believe in real objective truth about that reality which can be communicated. As a media company, trust is also one of our greatest assets. Thus, we always strive to tell the truth.

Inward Expression: We strive to always tell the truth to others on the team, from every employee to every employee. Our motto for internal communication: speak the truth in love.

Outward Expression: We strive to always tell the truth to our customers/readers, our partners, and everyone we interact with.

○ Verses: Ephesians 4:15

Respect

Why? Every single person is unique and inherently created in the image of God with untold potential and thus deserving of deep respect as an individual. Respect means acknowledging that fact while interacting with others and never treating someone as sub-human.

Inward Expression: Even when a fellow worker believes or does something we disagree with, we approach that person with respect. Managers treat those they are managing with deep respect as individuals, even when things go wrong. We reject gossip as destructive and disrespectful. If we are upset with someone, we speak to that individual, rather than complain to others. We are polite to each other and never objectify another employee.

Outward Expression: We must also respect and love our user (both consumer and advertiser) by putting them above ourselves. When talking about individuals that disagree with our cultural values, or who have done evil things, we need to remember that they are worthy of respect as human beings, even though we disagree with their thoughts or actions.

What this isn’t: Respect doesn’t mean moral relativism. Although every human is created in the image of God, that doesn’t mean all ideas and actions are worthy of respect. Many are not.

○ Verses: Genesis 1:27

Secondary Values:

■ Service: We act as servants to those we lead. We serve each other to help each other do good work. Those in leadership have an even higher responsibility for service.

■ Humility: From top to bottom, we recognize we are all simple human beings in deep need of God. This attitude informs how we treat others inside the company and out.

■ Grace: We recognize that we have all failed in huge ways and are only here because of grace. While we do hold people accountable for their actions and will truthfully tell them that they didn’t reach expectations, we all need grace for the times we don’t live up to standards. We give co-workers the benefit of the doubt rather than jumping to conclusions.

Creativity

Why? Every single person is unique and inherently created in the image of God. God is the creator. As humans created in the image of God, we are given the opportunity to create as a “sub-creators.” Each and every person has a creative ability that provides value to our company as a whole.

Inward & Outward Expression: We want people to try and fail. It’s the best way we learn. We are not afraid to try new things. We bring up new ideas when we see a solution that others don’t see. We experiment, analyze results, and try again. We are not afraid to fail. We make big bets, and we work to continually improve what we do. We let people speak their minds, and we do not shoot down the discussion of ideas and always encourage honest debate. Creativity may take very different forms for each area of work. In general, we see management’s job is to help cast vision, provide advice and tools, and then let people create. Each person has unique gifts, a unique background and a story that can contribute to the whole company.

○ Verses: Genesis 1:27, Exodus 31:2-6.

Secondary Values:

■ Fun: Work can and should be fun and enjoyable. We recognize life isn’t all about vocation, and we also value breaktime, family, rest, recreation, hobbies, art, charity, church etc…

Courage

Why? Ultimately, we trust that God is good and will take care of us, even if every single physical power is against us and wants to destroy us. Courage means trusting God to take care of us and doing something right, even if it’s unpopular.

Inward Expression: Courage means we do the right thing to fellow workers, even when we are afraid. Courage can mean many things in many different situations:

■ Courage could mean speaking up and telling someone the truth that they don’t want to hear but need to.

■ Courage could mean swallowing pride and being silent–even when that could make you seem weak.

■ Courage could mean holding someone accountable for their work when you are afraid of what that could mean for a personal relationship.

■ Courage could mean recognizing a strength you have and going out on a limb.

Outward Expression: There are powerful, entrenched interests and groups that are opposed to our cultural values. We will be attacked, and we will be mocked, but we won’t back down. We aren’t afraid to speak truth to power. We aren’t afraid to promote our values. We aren’t afraid of opportunities that may seem bigger than us.

○ Verses: Psalm 56:3-4, Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Hebrews 13:5-6

Secondary Values:

■ Accountability: We clearly communicate expectations, constantly evaluate, and hold people accountable when they don’t measure up.

Excellence

Why? We believe that we as humans were created to do good work. We believe that anything we do is ultimately done to serve and honor God.

Outward and Inward Expression: Excellence is loving our reader. Excellence is putting in the extra work to make something great, rather than just good. Excellence is doing that day-in and day-out, even if no one else notices, because we ultimately work for an audience of One. We look for opportunities to shine above the normal and delight our customers and fellow workers.

○ Verses: Genesis 2:15, Philippians 4:8. 2 Timothy 2:15. 1 Corinthians 15:58, Colossians 3:23

Secondary Values:

■ Stewardship: We treat valuable assets, positions, and resources like they are our own, making sure we are not wasting or destroying what we put our hands on, but growing them.

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