Post on 02-Jul-2015
transcript
How Churches Make Decisions
Part 3
Mark Ciampa 1
How Churches Make Decisions
Not
2
Not Not lecture Not free-for-all of what everyone thinks
Is open study from Scriptures and discussion for WCC
3
Not Not bashing of what other groups think
Not overlook incorrect interpretations
Is examination of different views
4
Not Not easy Not all agree Not setting to feel intimidated
5
Not Not WCC official position
Not to create replacement checklist
Not matter 6
Outline Flawed method
How decisions were made by NT churches
Principles for WCC to consider
7
How Churches Make Decisions
Decision Making In Acts
8
Acts 1:15-26 Looked in Scripture
Used common sense
Prayed
Watched for guidance from Spirit to make it plain
Proposed
Put it all into action
9
Acts 4:23-31 Involved everyone
Prayed
Asked God to make it clear
Used Scripture
10
Acts 6:1-6 Involved all disciples
Prayed
Kept ministry of the Word as primary focus
Used common sense
11
Acts 6:1-6 Reached consensus
Apostles were there and encouraged the process
Laid hands on
12
Acts 9:26-30 Did not fear the decision
Provided evidence to plead the case
13
Acts 11:1-27 Presented that situation and
experience
Explained
Needed to stay out of God’s way
14
Acts 15:1-41 Hard decision
Much discussion
Met to consider the question
Went to Scripture
15
Acts 15:25 So we all agreed to chose some men
Literally It seemed good to us becoming of one mind 16
One Mind In prayer (1:14)
Continued (2:46)
Prayed (4:24)
On Solomon’s porch (5:12)
Rushed to Stephen (7:57)
Listened (8:6) 17
One Mind To Herod (12:20)
Set on Paul (18:12)
Rushed into theatre (19:29)
18
Observations “One mind” in context is not unanimity
More like consensus (“I can live with that”)
“Don’t let perfect be the enemy of pretty good!”
19
How Churches Make Decisions
What If WCC Made a Decision This Way
20
Process Involve everyone
Pray
Examine Scripture
Use common sense
Look for evidence of His past work
Become of one mind
Watch for His guidance 21
Example Proposal for WCC to fund teens
going to Pine Ridge to help needy
Will use the opportunity to create caring trust with them so we can then share Gospel about Jesus
How would WCC decide if we should fund this?
22
How Churches Make Decisions
Concerns
23
Concerns “Won’t this open the door to the
church doing anything it wants to?”
“What’s the overriding principle of what we decide to do?”
“Isn’t the safe approach to not do anything that’s questionable?”
24
Concerns “What if one person disagrees?
Should we then not do it?”
25
How Churches Make Decisions
Romans 14
26
How Been Used Often cited as what to do if one person disagrees on a decision
“Strong must defer to weak on the decision and thus not do it”
27
Context Not about “unessential” vs. “essential” items
About clean/unclean foods and keeping Sabbath
Keeping customs of Law was major concern for Jewish believers
28
Context They were taught avoid unclean foods & keep Sabbath their entire life
Peter (Acts 10:11-14)
29
Two Groups “Weak in faith” (14:1)
Eat only vegetables
Considers one day more sacred than rest
Essential maintain identity through food & Sabbath
30
Two Groups “Strong” (15:1)
Eat anything
Considers every day alike
31
Weak In Faith Failure to trust God completely (Rom: 4:18-21)
“Weak in faith” trust in something other than or in addition to God
32
Observation Romans 14 not about one objector in a group making a decision
Is about someone not fully trusting in God to be free
33
To the Weak Not have contempt or judge the strong (:3-5)
Not put stumbling block or obstacle in way of brother (:13)
34
To the Weak Remember kingdom not these but righteousness, peace, joy (:17)
Make every effort do what leads to peace & mutual edification (:19)
35
To the Weak Whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God (:22)
36
How Churches Make Decisions
Your Turn
37
How Churches Make Decisions
Thank You
38
How Churches Make Decisions
Part 3
Mark Ciampa 39