Discerning the Mind of Christ Together as We Move Into the Future Chip Hardwick Savannah Presbytery 5/23/17

Contact Information Chip.hardwick@pcusa.org Facebook: Chip Hardwick Twitter: @ChipHardwick Instagram: @ChipHardwick Blog: www.presbyterianmission.or g/comings-and-goings/

What is the most faithful way for your church to respond to the Age of the Spirit?

“When people who love God and want to do God’s will face choices between options all of which are good and that they are free to choose, how can they discern God’s will?”

Individual vs. Group Discernment

5 Kinds of Listening discrimination

5 Kinds of Listening discrimination comprehension

5 Kinds of Listening discrimination comprehension therapeutic

5 Kinds of Listening discrimination comprehension therapeutic appreciative

5 Kinds of Listening discrimination comprehension therapeutic appreciative critical

Listening for Discernment A New Category discrimination comprehension Listening for Discernment therapeutic appreciative critical

Westminster Larger Catechism [When listening to sermons, listeners must not only] “receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the Word of God,” but also “examine what they hear by Scriptures.”

Listening for Discernment obedience criticism

Listening for Discernment obedience criticism

Obedience to Christ We obey Christ by seeking spiritual freedom, “a willingness to follow God’s call above any other call or commitment.”

Obedience to Christ Luke 9:59-60  To another Jesus said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Obedience to Christ We obey Christ by seeking spiritual freedom, “a willingness to follow God’s call above any other call or commitment.” the disposition that puts God’s desires over our own desires…

Obedience to Christ …Sometimes another elder’s committee deserves more funding than our own.

Obeying Christ through Councils “The covenant between God and the church is expressed by the corporate bodies far more effectively than by any individual. The debate of issues within these bodies is more likely to discern and express the will of God than is any private decision made by an individual. The more representative the body (the more inclusive) the more likely it will be able to express God’s will.” Historic Principles, Conscience, and Church Govt (1983)

Listening for Discernment obedience criticism

Hearing from Christ

Ignatius St. Ignatius (1491-1556) Modes of Discernment

Mode #1: Clarity beyond Doubting “If God chooses to give this gift of clarity, our part is to accept and act upon it.” --Timothy Gallagher

Mode #2: Attraction of the Heart Consolations (spiritual joy, love, hope, tears) vs. Desolations (sadness, lack of confidence, lack of love, dryness)

Mode #3: Preponderance of Reason Psalm 32:8-9 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Mode #3: Preponderance of Reason Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.

Mode #3: Qns on Concrete Factors What advantages and disadvantages result from the decision in bringing about God’s glory?

Mode #3: Qns on a Stranger I desire what is best for the spiritual growth for a person I have never seen or known. What option would I counsel her to choose?

Mode #3: Qns in the Light of Eternity “I see myself on the day of judgment and consider how, at that time, I will wish to have chosen in the present discernment. Then I will make the same choice now.” --Ignatius

Mode #3: Decision Quality

The Irrational Jesus --Ken Evers-Hood

Image courtesy of Strategic Decisions Group

Listening for Discernment obedience criticism

Group Questions Which of these ideas is most helpful for you as you discern your church’s decisions moving into the future? When has it been important for you to exercise listening for discernment, balancing obedience with criticism? How might your church apply the difference between decision quality and decision outcome?