Is your congregation dreaming big dreams together? Hopefully the answer is yes. But how do you know which dreams to pursue and which ones to set aside, at least for now?
The way congregations make decisions is important. It can influence the quality of the decision and determine the degree to which decisions are adopted. In fact, congregations are often called to go beyond decision-making. In many instances, churches need to organize and establish practices so they can discern together.
But what’s the difference between decision-making and discernment?
Decision-making has to do with selecting from choices based on information. Our wishes and goals are the primary drivers in decision-making. Discernment is different. Ruth Haley Barton writes, “Discernment, in a most general sense, is the capacity to recognize and respond to the presence and the activity of God.”
Decision-making works when we’re trying to figure out what color to paint the new wing of the building. Discernment is in order when we need to understand whether to add the new wing to the building in the first place. How might God be calling the church to use the building in service to God’s mission and reign in the world?
Congregations need to cultivate specific practices for discerning together, whether as a whole faith community or the church leadership group. One such practice is the capacity to be silent together. We usually hold meetings and fill the agenda with words that we want to say. Where is God on the agenda? Lay leaders come to meetings after stressful days at work and at home. Practicing silence together allows our minds to settle into the work of listening for God. Other practices, like storytelling, biblical reflection and experimentation also aid in the work of corporate discernment. But let’s be clear: without taking the time to be silent together, we might be too busy speaking to catch what God is saying.
