Using Discernment to Make Decisions

A Reality Check 101 Workshopby Bill Kemp

Someone having difficulties with the new reality

Deciding your church’s future:

✓We could let an expert decide

✓We could take a vote✓Perhaps, we should

try discernme

nt

3 ways to make a decision

Authority, Majority, and Discernment (consensus)

3 ways to make a decision

IMPLEMENTATIONRANGE

PROCESSTIME

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATION

Authority Soon Short Decisiveness

Majority Weeks or Months Medium Fairness

Discernment Long Long Resource provider

Study & Prayer

Discernment involves entrusting small groups to intuitively find the

right path

Transition Phase - Congregation is discerning it’s calling, identity, and process

(wilderness)

Management Phase - Congregation is changing to stick to its path

I wash, I rinse,I dry... then

I do it all over again!

Deepening Phase - Congregation is nurturing a

transformative faith

Transition Phase - Congregation focuses on healing, adapting to change,

developing healthy decision making processes, reconnecting with the denomination, and

redefining the pastoral role

Deepening Phase - Spiritual

formation is achieved through more worship, study, fellowship, and mission related activities

Management Phase - Work is done to realign church structures

with church mission, vocation, and current reality

What Cycle is Your Church in?

Which restaurant is your church?

Mary’s Buffet