by Over the past several weeks, I have been anticipating some of the decisions that would potentially impact our Oklahoma Church Ministries Department events and the small church that Nyree and I are leading through transition. We have wrestled with many of the same questions that our pastors and leaders are also facing in their own personal ministries and local churches. I have had to ask some very important questions when faced with the decisions surrounding the virus.
Let me offer some insight to how I am approaching the decisions that are imperative for me to make as a leader and minister.
#1 What Biblical Principle Can I Root My Decision In?
Decisions regarding ministry and the church should always be rooted in scripture. After all, the church is designed by God which makes him the ultimate authority concerning the plans He has for it. Leaders who are seeking direction for the church must be prayerfully and scripturally informed.
God’s Word has an abundance of wisdom and direction concerning how the church is to operate as well as it’s leadership. When faced with important decisions that affect the church and it’s membership, we should never base our decisions on one passage of scripture, but look at the whole of God’s Word.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6 (ESV)
We can trust that the Lord knows precisely the questions that we are asking and has an answer that we can base our decisions upon. Our reliance upon the revealed will of God must give us the direction we need to make wise and informed decisions. This reliance on scripture also provides the peace in our hearts and minds, that we are making decisions based on his wisdom and not our own. The Word instructs us to:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)
Questions I am asking:
- What does the whole of scripture say about my decision?
- What patterns of the New Testament church can we emulate?
- What are my spiritual authorities that God has placed in my life saying about this decision?
- Am I the only one who holds to this interpretation of a principle?
- Who can help me better understand what God’s Word says about our decision?
Every decision that we have to make in this life must be approached with prayerful consideration of scripture. At the same time, we must make sure and guard our hearts and minds especially when a decision is unpopular. That is why scripture challenges us to put our mind on:
“whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Challenge:
- Pray for God to speak into your heart
- Study the scripture for insight concerning your decision
- Counsel with your spiritual mentor/leader
- Focus on the big picture of the Kingdom
- Make the mission of the church the priority of the church
Nyree and I am praying for you! Remember that God has a plan for your life, ministry and church! We trust that He will help us be a light in a darkened world! We cannot wait to hear the testimonies of what God is doing during this crucial time in the history of the church!
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