How Church’s Make Decisions [Part 3]

How Churches Make Decisions

Part 3

Mark Ciampa 1

How Churches Make Decisions

Not

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Not Not lecture Not free-for-all of what everyone thinks

Is open study from Scriptures and discussion for WCC

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Not Not bashing of what other groups think

Not overlook incorrect interpretations

Is examination of different views

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Not Not easy Not all agree Not setting to feel intimidated

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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

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How Churches Make Decisions

Decision Making In Acts

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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

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Acts 4:23-31 Involved everyone

Prayed

Asked God to make it clear

Used Scripture

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Acts 6:1-6 Involved all disciples

Prayed

Kept ministry of the Word as primary focus

Used common sense

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Acts 6:1-6 Reached consensus

Apostles were there and encouraged the process

Laid hands on

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Acts 9:26-30 Did not fear the decision

Provided evidence to plead the case

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Acts 11:1-27 Presented that situation and

experience

Explained

Needed to stay out of God’s way

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Acts 15:1-41 Hard decision

Much discussion

Met to consider the question

Went to Scripture

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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)

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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!”

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How Churches Make Decisions

What If WCC Made a Decision This Way

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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?

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How Churches Make Decisions

Concerns

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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?”

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Concerns “What if one person disagrees?

Should we then not do it?”

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How Churches Make Decisions

Romans 14

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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”

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Context Not about “unessential” vs. “essential” items

About clean/unclean foods and keeping Sabbath

Keeping customs of Law was major concern for Jewish believers

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Context They were taught avoid unclean foods & keep Sabbath their entire life

Peter (Acts 10:11-14)

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Two Groups “Weak in faith” (14:1)

Eat only vegetables

Considers one day more sacred than rest

Essential maintain identity through food & Sabbath

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Two Groups “Strong” (15:1)

Eat anything

Considers every day alike

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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

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Observation Romans 14 not about one objector in a group making a decision

Is about someone not fully trusting in God to be free

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To the Weak Not have contempt or judge the strong (:3-5)

Not put stumbling block or obstacle in way of brother (:13)

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To the Weak Remember kingdom not these but righteousness, peace, joy (:17)

Make every effort do what leads to peace & mutual edification (:19)

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To the Weak Whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God (:22)

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How Churches Make Decisions

Your Turn

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How Churches Make Decisions

Thank You

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How Churches Make Decisions

Part 3

Mark Ciampa 39