How does a church leader decide what's God's will and what is merely a preference or good idea?

1. Decision & Discernment
How Church Leaders Know God’s Will
Rev. Wendy S. Bailey, Regional Presbyter

2. 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 1:5-10
Exodus 3:1-12
Mark 1:14-22
Luke 10:1-12
Psalm 121
John 15:1-15
Isaiah 6:6-13
1 Kings 19:1-9
Mark 8:27-38

3. 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

4. NOOMA:
Shells
Rob Bell

5. Nature of God
Relationship with Christ
Daily Prayer and Scripture
Our Dependence on God
Other Spiritual Disciplines

6. Will of God

7. 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.

8. Marks of Discernment
Focused on God ... not
about Me
Requires Faith
Communal
Relies on the Holy Spirit

9. 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.

10. Process of
Discernment
Discernment and Decision-Making
Copyright © 2005 The Reverend Victoria Grace Curtiss
Discernment and Decision-Making
Copyright © 2005 The Reverend Victoria Grace CurtissDiscernment and Decision-Making
Copyright © 2005 The Reverend Victoria Grace Curtiss

11. Decision vs. Discernment
dealing with routine organizational
business
an issue has near of full consensus
clear alternatives have been
identified
more discussion will not likely result
in more options
delaying a decision is not an option
participants are comfortable with
parliamentary procedure
the group is willing to accept
majority rule when a common
solution cannot be found
dealing with significant matters that
affect the whole body
a sizable minority or range of views is
present
more voices or ideas need to be
included
time can be taken to explore more
options and build consensus
a diversity of cultural backgrounds i
present
persistent and substantial division
exists
Parliamentary Procedure Communal Discernment
Discernment and Decision-Making
Copyright © 2005 The Reverend Victoria Grace Curtiss

12. 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

13. Decision & Discernment
How Church Leaders Know God’s Will
Rev. Wendy S. Bailey, Regional Presbyter