Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Reflection - In The Church - Making Decisions In Church

Source (book): "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Chapter 32, "Making Decisions In Church", Page 170.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012



The calm blue sea was a sight to behold at Crete, the Mediterranean island I was visiting for a consultation.
PHOTO: The calm blue sea was a sight to behold at Crete, the Mediterranean island I was visiting for a consultation. I tried to imagine the stormy waves which caused a shipwreck a long time ago, the incident Luke the evangelist recorded in Acts 27.

Paul had found it most difficult to convince his fellow travellers that they were on the verge of a potentially fatal decision. They had already experienced many difficulties on their journey. They changed ships and had to land at the ironically named Fair Havens (Acts 27:8). They now had to decide whether to continue sailing. Paul warned them against this for he perceived that setting sail at that time would be very dangerous (Acts 27:9-10). But he was up against a
triumvirate (a group of three people who work together, especially when they are in charge of something) of powerful voices.

First, there were the experts. Both the pilot and the ship's owner advised that they should sail (Acts 27:11). Who could argue against the experts? After all, they would have known more than anyone else about ships, seas, and weather. When specific advice is sought, the experts have the loudest and most persuasive voice. They hold the microphone. Paul, the humble prisoner, had to manage without one.

Second, there was the majority. The travellers must have taken a vote and found that the majority agreed with the experts' decision to set sail (Acts 27:11). Paul's lonely voice was all too easily drowned by the popular vote.

Third, there were the circumstances. A "gentle south wind began to blow" - a confirmation, it seemed, of the wisdom of the majority's decision made on expert advice (Acts 27:13). This hardened their resolve and Paul ultimately could not convince them otherwise. Once they set sail, however, the gentle wind showed its true colours. It gave way to a fierce hurricane that resulted in shipwreck. It was only by the grace of God that all were saved from certain death.

This incident in the Bible can help us to reflect on how we make decisions in our churches.
It is possible for us to make the wrong call, even with expert advice, a majority vote, and careful analysis of the circumstances.

How might expertise go wrong? For a start, specialised knowledge can be narrow and
myopic (short-sighted), overly focused on the intricacies (complications) of the subject matter at hand, in contrast to a broader biblical wisdom that is wider in scope and deeper in its understanding of reality. Furthermore, expertise, as it is understood in the modern world, cannot be equated to spiritual maturity.

Asking experts to run the church may not be the wisest decision. When choosing church leaders, we must ensure that our focus does not shift from holy people to clever people. Of course, purity and professionalism, or character and competence, are
not mutually exclusive (they cannot exist or happen together at the same time). But it is foolhardy to assume that competence guarantees character and that success in the marketplace is evidence of sound inner spirituality. If we are dazzled by the experts of the world and listen more intently to them than God's Word, we should do well to remember that success in the market place and success in God's kingdom operate on very different principles.

The contemporary church is often guided by what is popular with people who thrive in the world. We visit the same cinemas, restaurants, shopping centres, and holiday resorts. We watch the same TV shows, listen to the same songs, and surf the same internet. It is easy to like what is popular in the world. It is also easy to bring all that into the church. Yet, popular tastes and majority opinion can be wrong. They are not infallible sources of guidance. The church that relies more on opinion polls than on the Word and the Spirit is in great danger.

Finally, the church lives in two worlds, one visible and the other invisible. The greater part of reality is the unseen world, a truth we must remember when tempted to make decisions based chiefly on
pragmatic (sensible) readings of the circumstances. Our heritage as the people of God includes invisible angel armies, a burning bush, and God's still small voice. To see beyond our finite human horizons, we must be devoted to prayer and Bible study, two disciplines which are, incidentally, among the primary tasks of pastors and those in positions of spiritual leaderships (Acts 6:4). unfortunately, our spiritual leaders are often so busy that their eyes are fixed only on horizons everyone else can see, neglecting the unseen realities that they are especially called to discern. Notice that everyone felt the gentle south wind, but it was Paul, the spiritual leader, who could see beyond overt (plain) circumstances and sense the coming hurricane (Acts 27:13-14).

Experts, the majority, and circumstances (or the professional, the popular, and the pragmatic) all have rightful places in guiding the church's decision-making, but we may have given them too much weight. They can all lead us astray in the absence of prayer and the faith handed down to us in God's Word. Paul had a better experience with another group of people - the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). There, too, the people made a decision. They sent Paul and Barnabas on a missionary enterprise. Their decision was a godly one because it was made in the context of worship, prayer, and loving fellowship. Corporate guidance in the church, after all, is not essentially a management technique. It has to do with relationships, both vertical and horizontal.

The people in Acts 27 were a
disparate (different) crowd while those in Acts 13 were a community, It is very difficult to make godly decisions in a crowd. Godly decisions cannot be planted in the barren (infertile) soil of a crowd. Rather, they are planted, bud and bloom and bear fruit in the fertile soil of authentic community. As churches, our best hope of making good and godly corporate choices is in allowing God to transform us from a crowd of self-centred individuals into a community of cross-bearing lovers of God and neighbour.

The moment we feel comfortable and confident in our own decision-making processes, God's Word disturbs us,
convicting (declaring) us of our inadequacy. When it comes to making right decisions in church, the church can only sit at the Master's feet and learn to hear HIs voice - in, against, and beyond expert advice, majority votes, and market surveys.
Picture posted by 1africa.tv

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI7x-y1jUXt63NJAk3S9_eMAzdqo-zRfbYcvGltgYY9yHNCkrY81ihyEF3e9HMJu3KSdlCj78pzBkUx_Mf8xJHj0UASyRczb1gAN0oJVYw8uJ4jiJiffjH5lHXy0NFQqvL_HJc69ZS670s7Q1EuRof80zFAr-yqezX5So0iZj2dX97MN9YDOZrw6sgBE/s696/crossroads-1-696x696_1.png
https://www.1africa.tv/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/crossroads-1-696x696.jpg
https://www.1africa.tv/do-shortcuts-work/



The calm blue sea was a sight to behold at Crete, the Mediterranean island I was visiting for a consultation. I tried to imagine the stormy waves which caused a shipwreck a long time ago, the incident Luke the evangelist recorded in Acts 27.


The calm blue sea was a sight to behold at Crete, the Mediterranean island I was visiting for a consultation.
PHOTO: The calm blue sea was a sight to behold at Crete, the Mediterranean island I was visiting for a consultation. I tried to imagine the stormy waves which caused a shipwreck a long time ago, the incident Luke the evangelist recorded in Acts 27.
Picture posted by iStock

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEowTHQatL3D7f9vQwoW7BMup4nBCHt-ZP52h0O3YwtYLbAwSItytsQep7xeiDdN_sSvU5Maru04nY5bcRn7CspnZy79YGUJw0Vo3LSN1Gq5alVchuyH_QtEjHCRMbyWTIlGg4IzBNBXxsKwAeLyrzs8BF7TDzQdk_9tz8fU9pcl12caaWk_eCjqPknqk/s612/istockphoto-1026019506-612x612.jpg
https://media.istockphoto.com/id/1026019506/photo/girl-in-black-bikini-and-with-hat-on-balos-beach.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=45C8OV40xtgyfv3eJcRXObbhlIjuUp32LnkX7WQkJ70=
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/girl-in-black-bikini-and-with-hat-on-balos-beach-gm1026019506-275187350



Paul had found it most difficult to convince his fellow travellers that they were on the verge of a potentially fatal decision. They had already experienced many difficulties on their journey. They changed ships and had to land at the ironically named Fair Havens (Acts 27:8). They now had to decide whether to continue sailing. Paul warned them against this for he perceived that setting sail at that time would be very dangerous (Acts 27:9-10). But he was up against a
triumvirate (a group of three people who work together, especially when they are in charge of something) of powerful voices.


Paul had found it most difficult to convince his fellow travellers that they were on the verge of a potentially fatal decision.
PHOTO: Paul had found it most difficult to convince his fellow travellers that they were on the verge of a potentially fatal decision. They had already experienced many difficulties on their journey. They changed ships and had to land at the ironically named Fair Havens (Acts 27:8). They now had to decide whether to continue sailing. Paul warned them against this for he perceived that setting sail at that time would be very dangerous (Acts 27:9-10). But he was up against a triumvirate (a group of three people who work together, especially when they are in charge of something) of powerful voices.
Picture posted by Bible Art - Acts 27:9
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUl4zJ8fmvP159e378o5CIXpZ6XDgP8fV0jK8iDBPPQL-v4uUalGMdQ-MjLY6ikFnNftAD6Wm9s8T9ygJ3ShZiG_x5DIDE-uKd7yptAOKd-z7sZ7bgOWCbdyG-8QLnxvCq5ZNWQtdJUIMeUFZIQi9Sc9l2WVoczZ55V8h7vytFytvUvILPHVroyPtEyI/s1024/e1cf7a53-97b4-4830-8a3c-24d02a96ccac-compressed.jpg
https://media.bible.art/e1cf7a53-97b4-4830-8a3c-24d02a96ccac-compressed.jpg
https://bible.art/p/awUCTAzGssGS3YUgoGbf/acts-27:9-now-when-much-time-was



First, there were the experts. Both the pilot and the ship's owner advised that they should sail (Acts 27:11). Who could argue against the experts? After all, they would have known more than anyone else about ships, seas, and weather. When specific advice is sought, the experts have the loudest and most persuasive voice. They hold the microphone. Paul, the humble prisoner, had to manage without one.

Second, there was the majority. The travellers must have taken a vote and found that the majority agreed with the experts' decision to set sail (Acts 27:11). Paul's lonely voice was all too easily drowned by the popular vote.


First, there were the experts.
PHOTO: First, there were the experts. Both the pilot and the ship's owner advised that they should sail (Acts 27:11). Who could argue against the experts? After all, they would have known more than anyone else about ships, seas, and weather. When specific advice is sought, the experts have the loudest and most persuasive voice. They hold the microphone. Paul, the humble prisoner, had to manage without one.
Picture posted by Bible Art -
Acts 27:11

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmG9KcZdC3kOtC4qbsXC-SupN3P-fjcdM0fwxzva5ZODjZzMi01ksK2sftmHkS_lT_pO70j1-1DOqTwfoWpsh4MDiXcJUFWWQqOgs5c0nk9boUjZbzVo3pxQKIb2KHpHg_KNCswCvIABkZl0OLP6-woU7TlSBmXJ2mnhSrtNQ8BvIJWhyphenhyphenuawUMpRY_n34/s1024/0a641715-248a-479d-a337-26b3f063162a-compressed.jpg
https://media.bible.art/0a641715-248a-479d-a337-26b3f063162a-compressed.jpg
https://bible.art/p/PnP9uENyMerJykC5LtQa/acts-27:11-nevertheless-the-centurion


Third, there were the circumstances. A "gentle south wind began to blow" - a confirmation, it seemed, of the wisdom of the majority's decision made on expert advice (Acts 27:13). This hardened their resolve and Paul ultimately could not convince them otherwise. Once they set sail, however, the gentle wind showed its true colours. It gave way to a fierce hurricane that resulted in shipwreck. It was only by the grace of God that all were saved from certain death.


Third, there were the circumstances.
PHOTO: Third, there were the circumstances. A "gentle south wind began to blow" - a confirmation, it seemed, of the wisdom of the majority's decision made on expert advice (Acts 27:13). This hardened their resolve and Paul ultimately could not convince them otherwise. Once they set sail, however, the gentle wind showed its true colours. It gave way to a fierce hurricane that resulted in shipwreck. It was only by the grace of God that all were saved from certain death.
Picture posted by Bible Art -
Acts 27:13
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYtVHbM-OlyhHM6gztw0x7sPH2P4zQ3CIqOpdFTg0I6dzIFR_3lqlYbd4iwlp6mUfpXABT4MGmZgWiM-oYJ30UglEb3Gz7gaxzdCdKel5fPADnmjeFo4yc_iZp-yEpixEkSNSxjD-bAf1xqRj1lIcpWeKLZGZ_sUYQypXri7nHIGZwJWYnk0uz4pOn2I/s1024/5a03b23f-c979-4c33-80c2-660b18b13cb4-compressed.jpg
https://media.bible.art/5a03b23f-c979-4c33-80c2-660b18b13cb4-compressed.jpg
https://bible.art/p/oBK9h2FtEJVaX2kNhXrp/acts-27:13-and-when-the-south-wind



This incident in the Bible can help us to reflect on how we make decisions in our churches.
It is possible for us to make the wrong call, even with expert advice, a majority vote, and careful analysis of the circumstances.

How might expertise go wrong? For a start, specialised knowledge can be narrow and
myopic (short-sighted), overly focused on the intricacies (complications) of the subject matter at hand, in contrast to a broader biblical wisdom that is wider in scope and deeper in its understanding of reality. Furthermore, expertise, as it is understood in the modern world, cannot be equated to spiritual maturity.


How might expertise go wrong?
PHOTO: How might expertise go wrong? For a start, specialised knowledge can be narrow and myopic (short-sighted), overly focused on the intricacies (complications) of the subject matter at hand, in contrast to a broader biblical wisdom that is wider in scope and deeper in its understanding of reality. Furthermore, expertise, as it is understood in the modern world, cannot be equated to spiritual maturity.
Picture posted by In search of truth, Blissful journeys of Venky Rao

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrEWablFuhahaDJisiTN86IpZ9DUMOyCdpbXiIg7S9qjqp_Vdoi1IkKSqU8Pt1f-sKwqITcVgJWHpQUzHGRJZJRs9D36wrq6rZHmM2u0FuVAxEfAeG07he1FaRoDBRXSdP8stfSnL9vYVLdWjGiqVeoZQOnGZvW3Dv5elpZ2SdZ2W7OSuBdp3qInVb8Y/s600/horizon.jpg
https://venkyrao.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/horizon.jpg
https://venkyrao.com/2017/09/26/understanding-reality/



Asking experts to run the church may not be the wisest decision. When choosing church leaders, we must ensure that our focus does not shift from holy people to clever people. Of course, purity and professionalism, or character and competence, are
not mutually exclusive (they cannot exist or happen together at the same time). But it is foolhardy to assume that competence guarantees character and that success in the marketplace is evidence of sound inner spirituality. If we are dazzled by the experts of the world and listen more intently to them than God's Word, we should do well to remember that success in the market place and success in God's kingdom operate on very different principles.


Asking experts to run the church may not be the wisest decision.
PHOTO: Asking experts to run the church may not be the wisest decision. When choosing church leaders, we must ensure that our focus does not shift from holy people to clever people. Of course, purity and professionalism, or character and competence, are not mutually exclusive (they cannot exist or happen together at the same time). But it is foolhardy to assume that competence guarantees character and that success in the marketplace is evidence of sound inner spirituality. If we are dazzled by the experts of the world and listen more intently to them than God's Word, we should do well to remember that success in the market place and success in God's kingdom operate on very different principles.
Picture posted by Sarah Young on Thursday 17 January 2019 at 11:40 GMT

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FxJyzbjdj4olAjb07vyBX70VPJygmZ-SipViZGNHu_mGFwPS31cZS0brJ1jBErb3URXJXn8Vw1nxt4ZqdvTldPVCmuw7tZsNeN2vShAOaepSK-x076aTHJNaolbJww2Uq5m7ilgl7xIjdiw086JCKjXaFafl8Xu32AIkNYJdkR6QpLE8aNMnXKUCO0U/s1250/laughing.png
https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2019/01/17/10/laughing.jpg?quality=75&width=1250&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&auto=webp
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/morals-funny-sense-of-humour-virtue-joking-like-singapore-business-school-a8732251.html



The contemporary church is often guided by what is popular with people who thrive in the world. We visit the same cinemas, restaurants, shopping centres, and holiday resorts. We watch the same TV shows, listen to the same songs, and surf the same internet. It is easy to like what is popular in the world. It is also easy to bring all that into the church. Yet, popular tastes and majority opinion can be wrong. They are not infallible sources of guidance. The church that relies more on opinion polls than on the Word and the Spirit is in great danger.


The contemporary church is often guided by what is popular with people who thrive in the world.
PHOTO: The contemporary church is often guided by what is popular with people who thrive in the world. We visit the same cinemas, restaurants, shopping centres, and holiday resorts. We watch the same TV shows, listen to the same songs, and surf the same internet. It is easy to like what is popular in the world. It is also easy to bring all that into the church. Yet, popular tastes and majority opinion can be wrong. They are not infallible sources of guidance. The church that relies more on opinion polls than on the Word and the Spirit is in great danger.
Picture posted by Bill Gates on 09 November 2023

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wR_Z2SO2AAWtLJXai2LjAaDlXQdIUvxdVTUSG6LNaxF9RGJ1bdbHrCeGbCc5O5oYNWr_kkUDCCXIOFapzIESpo3oyYnPlOJDOczpmghTero7nr1ycIAxHxlq7DSyylnKn72K-RduKetRWiTOneVU_M49GgQ-fY-HstJqezCVMY2bOXKSWQ-FRSAkqX8/s717/20231023-AI_Agents-TGN_Assets-001-article-hero_1.jpg
https://assets.gatesnotes.com/8a5ac0b3-6095-00af-c50a-89056fbe4642/a8e444de-7927-4c09-afeb-52fb5e542265/20231023-AI_Agents-TGN_Assets-001-article-hero_1200x564.jpg
https://www.gatesnotes.com/AI-agents



Finally, the church lives in two worlds, one visible and the other invisible. The greater part of reality is the unseen world, a truth we must remember when tempted to make decisions based chiefly on
pragmatic (sensible) readings of the circumstances. Our heritage as the people of God includes invisible angel armies, a burning bush, and God's still small voice. To see beyond our finite human horizons, we must be devoted to prayer and Bible study, two disciplines which are, incidentally, among the primary tasks of pastors and those in positions of spiritual leaderships (Acts 6:4). unfortunately, our spiritual leaders are often so busy that their eyes are fixed only on horizons everyone else can see, neglecting the unseen realities that they are especially called to discern. Notice that everyone felt the gentle south wind, but it was Paul, the spiritual leader, who could see beyond overt (plain) circumstances and sense the coming hurricane (Acts 27:13-14).


Finally, the church lives in two worlds, one visible and the other invisible.
PHOTO: Finally, the church lives in two worlds, one visible and the other invisible. The greater part of reality is the unseen world, a truth we must remember when tempted to make decisions based chiefly on pragmatic (sensible) readings of the circumstances. Our heritage as the people of God includes invisible angel armies, a burning bush, and God's still small voice. To see beyond our finite human horizons, we must be devoted to prayer and Bible study, two disciplines which are, incidentally, among the primary tasks of pastors and those in positions of spiritual leaderships (Acts 6:4). unfortunately, our spiritual leaders are often so busy that their eyes are fixed only on horizons everyone else can see, neglecting the unseen realities that they are especially called to discern. Notice that everyone felt the gentle south wind, but it was Paul, the spiritual leader, who could see beyond overt (plain) circumstances and sense the coming hurricane (Acts 27:13-14).
Picture posted by drae alves

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxUBrZRZdBFoofaLL5Q2aYyp6W0wl6NNvtBHwLlWuHb7ORO6zmnoxK4jviJmlHWZOkWFNW8BbbFyGTqJ_14rvxx6TuZ04HDSapHAPlEMYhkeVdT7tn0R72vK_779s7xzzpX-Fwz0gmBcnZ6z9KI4jvZ8VofywH2Dd7S-21T0sW-bUup11tH8IJIfSmIg/s4096/e65f038c22c2ba7c9b6c12dd088ecbd6.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e6/5f/03/e65f038c22c2ba7c9b6c12dd088ecbd6.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/48413764739589923/



Experts, the majority, and circumstances (or the professional, the popular, and the pragmatic) all have rightful places in guiding the church's decision-making, but we may have given them too much weight. They can all lead us astray in the absence of prayer and the faith handed down to us in God's Word. Paul had a better experience with another group of people - the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). There, too, the people made a decision. They sent Paul and Barnabas on a missionary enterprise. Their decision was a godly one because it was made in the context of worship, prayer, and loving fellowship. Corporate guidance in the church, after all, is not essentially a management technique. It has to do with relationships, both vertical and horizontal.


Experts, the majority, and circumstances (or the professional, the popular, and the pragmatic) all have rightful places in guiding the church's decision-making, but we may have given them too much weight.
PHOTO: Experts, the majority, and circumstances (or the professional, the popular, and the pragmatic) all have rightful places in guiding the church's decision-making, but we may have given them too much weight. They can all lead us astray in the absence of prayer and the faith handed down to us in God's Word. Paul had a better experience with another group of people - the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). There, too, the people made a decision. They sent Paul and Barnabas on a missionary enterprise. Their decision was a godly one because it was made in the context of worship, prayer, and loving fellowship. Corporate guidance in the church, after all, is not essentially a management technique. It has to do with relationships, both vertical and horizontal.
Picture posted by Bible Art - Acts 13:3 -
"And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
"
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTPAL_O6nnxFa5KiyVWKpItzPXmRzs048E0feMDQT9aOK9OUW6gdOe3PvkeKnzqFq68VAdlG5BE6YOSJRFq5eN5du497Wg9aGmIXbpkZrulf6aAwXJ_kThf_tbaSXEZofIyArN6tNOz3H4GSMqYtO2_JDp-gqS1JK3uZXQgTcFwHxWgZ8xBYtcR3Bvqs/s1024/983862f2-9886-41bd-98cd-55aecb61e724-compressed.jpg
https://media.bible.art/983862f2-9886-41bd-98cd-55aecb61e724-compressed.jpg
https://bible.art/p/4E7Mkke6DHbid9cyYs2H/acts-13:3-and-when-they-had-fasted



The people in Acts 27 were a
disparate (different) crowd while those in Acts 13 were a community, It is very difficult to make godly decisions in a crowd. Godly decisions cannot be planted in the barren (infertile) soil of a crowd. Rather, they are planted, bud and bloom and bear fruit in the fertile soil of authentic community. As churches, our best hope of making good and godly corporate choices is in allowing God to transform us from a crowd of self-centred individuals into a community of cross-bearing lovers of God and neighbour.


The people in Acts 27 were a disparate (different) crowd while those in Acts 13 were a community, It is very difficult to make godly decisions in a crowd.
PHOTO: The people in Acts 27 were a disparate (different) crowd while those in Acts 13 were a community, It is very difficult to make godly decisions in a crowd. Godly decisions cannot be planted in the barren (infertile) soil of a crowd. Rather, they are planted, bud and bloom and bear fruit in the fertile soil of authentic community. As churches, our best hope of making good and godly corporate choices is in allowing God to transform us from a crowd of self-centred individuals into a community of cross-bearing lovers of God and neighbour.
Picture posted by Vinsensius

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZecO6f0YOinYU0YXnda7Hmc-sOGVaFrXuXz7BbKwLuv0mCWhKcreCOiKQK5AySQto2HNUxfDvVP95meznDuUZ3BBOnQOSH8okCckGQlj-nFwTo3ra5A0O_-pK3DEwsYh7QzL_B40C1NzagQ6uQxtTvzDPkhUCxQPyc_5AEdk1i2-BvRVdbI_ZkKpE8Bk/s736/0e235c1a752d75c90f59d3fc9f924f65.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0e/23/5c/0e235c1a752d75c90f59d3fc9f924f65.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/26529085298562941/



The moment we feel comfortable and confident in our own decision-making processes, God's Word disturbs us,
convicting (declaring) us of our inadequacy. When it comes to making right decisions in church, the church can only sit at the Master's feet and learn to hear HIs voice - in, against, and beyond expert advice, majority votes, and market surveys.


The moment we feel comfortable and confident in our own decision-making processes, God's Word disturbs us, convicting (declaring) us of our inadequacy.
PHOTO: The moment we feel comfortable and confident in our own decision-making processes, God's Word disturbs us, convicting (declaring) us of our inadequacy. When it comes to making right decisions in church, the church can only sit at the Master's feet and learn to hear HIs voice - in, against, and beyond expert advice, majority votes, and market surveys.
Picture posted by Faith in GOD - God Confronts Adam and Eve

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoq1ASUsXoU-eMTfBAoV4h_mdrLjiCLt3XlkLXC0SNMxfGiib7LXkaVqorWHKTtRfnt8RBTG6Bg6PuLpEYS_a-J6C1mbGNdWLilQfV6u2tuyhohU5nmNbxxe0cX56mjHtzytFIdJIQmQmAyprlDwBqJ11biVDqMujD6EA6_tcgz7KHSewk9tXxCDC-fqI/s1200/897fe6d1c5066d587de1ac3364bce961.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/89/7f/e6/897fe6d1c5066d587de1ac3364bce961.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/26529085298770728/
 

Dear Lord
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we pray that we may be transformed from a crowd of self-centred individuals into a community of cross-bearing lovers of God and neighbour.

The moment we feel comfortable and confident in our own decision-making processes, may God's Word disturbs us, convicting us of our inadequacy.

When it comes to making right decisions in church, may the church sit at the Master's feet and learn to hear HIs voice - in, against, and beyond expert advice, majority votes, and market surveys.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
"
Picture posted by Geysa
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Reflection - In The Church - Making Decisions In Church
Source (book): "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Chapter 32, "Making Decisions In Church", Page 170.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, ©
2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 
 
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
 
 
"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God",  © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach

Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html
 

"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 1 - 45 (Links), posted on 03 April 2023
Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 1 - 45 (Links), posted on 03 April 2023
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/04/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-1-45.html

 
"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 46 - 90 (Links), posted on
Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 46 - 90 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 24 October 2023
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/10/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-46-90.html
 
 
"Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Copyright @ 2022 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Making All Things New, Chapter 1 - 28 (Links), posted on Saturday, 04 August 2024
Reflection - Making All Things New, Chapter 1 - 28 (Links), posted on Saturday, 04 August 2024
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2024/08/reflection-making-all-things-new.html



Reference
[1] From "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Copyright @ 2022 by Robert M. Solomon, Chapter 32, "Making Decisions In Church", Page 170.


Links


New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Acts 6:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%206%3A4&version=NIV

Acts 13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013&version=NIV

Acts 13:1-3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013%3A1-3&version=NIV

Acts 27
- https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2027&version=NIV

Acts 27:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2027%3A8&version=NIV

Acts 27:9-10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2027%3A9-10&version=NIV

Acts 27:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2027%3A11&version=NIV

Acts 27:13
- https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2027%3A13&version=NIV

Acts 27:13-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2027%3A13-14&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29
- https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV