Decision & DiscernmentHow Church Leaders Know God’s Will

Rev. Wendy S. Bailey, Regional Presbyter

The Word

What does this text say to you about the nature of God?

What does this text say to you about discernment?

What does this text say to you about the will of God?

Jeremiah 1:5-10Exodus 3:1-12Mark 1:14-22Luke 10:1-12

Psalm 121John 15:1-15Isaiah 6:6-13

1 Kings 19:1-9Mark 8:27-38

Discernment... seeks to cultivate sensitivity to the presence of God and a desire for the things of God. It involves a humble yielding of control, as we grow in sensing God’s gracious, freeing presence.

The Rev. Victoria Grace Curtiss, PCUSA Peace Unity & Purity Final Report, 2005

NOOMA: Shells

Rob Bell

Nature of God

Relationship with Christ

Daily Prayer and Scripture

Our Dependence on God

Other Spiritual Disciplines

Will of God

How would you define “God’s will” to a thirteen-year-old member of the confirmation class?

Gray, Joan S. (2010-11-05). Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers (p. 97). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition. Gray, Joan S. (2010-11-05). Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers (p. 97). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition. Gray, Joan S. (2010-11-05). Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers (p. 97). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.

Marks of Discernment

Focused on God ... not about Me

Requires Faith

Communal

Relies on the Holy Spirit

According to the book of Acts, the early church was guided and empowered by God, specifically through the actions of the Holy

Spirit. Is it possible for churches today to have this kind of experience?

Gray, Joan S. (2010-11-05). Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers (p. 97). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition. Gray, Joan S. (2010-11-05). Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers (p. 97). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition. Gray, Joan S. (2010-11-05). Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers (p. 97). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.

Process of Discernment

Discernment and Decision-Making

Copyright © 2005 The Reverend Victoria Grace Curtiss

Discernment and Decision-MakingCopyright © 2005 The Reverend Victoria Grace CurtissDiscernment and Decision-Making

Copyright © 2005 The Reverend Victoria Grace Curtiss

Decision vs. Discernment

dealing with routine organizational businessan issue has near of full consensusclear alternatives have been identifiedmore discussion will not likely result in more optionsdelaying a decision is not an optionparticipants are comfortable with parliamentary procedurethe group is willing to accept majority rule when a common solution cannot be found

dealing with significant matters that affect the whole bodya sizable minority or range of views is presentmore voices or ideas need to be includedtime can be taken to explore more options and build consensusa diversity of cultural backgrounds i presentpersistent and substantial division exists

Parliamentary Procedure Communal Discernment

Discernment and Decision-MakingCopyright © 2005 The Reverend Victoria Grace Curtiss

The Process of Communal Discernment

1. Establish a Common Starting Point

2. Gather and Share Information

3. Explore Options

4. Choose Direction

5. Rest with the Decision

6. Consensus

Decision & DiscernmentHow Church Leaders Know God’s Will

Rev. Wendy S. Bailey, Regional Presbyter