Effective Decision Making – Making
successful mistakes in ministry
Jim Cole, Area Pastor – San Juan
Islands/Friday Harbor
1
Corinthians 1:25 (NLT) “This
foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness
is stronger than the greatest of human strength.”
O.O.D.A. LOOP - John Boyd (Col. USAF Ret.) –
Designed F16 and was legendary fighter. Used worldwide by many successful military
and business leaders in helping to make effective decisions.
Observe: Circumstances,
Information, Environment, and Outside Information; Mark 13:37 “What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' “God has
called us to be mindful of His return and to be about His Father’s business. Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the
age." John 14:26 “But the
Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach
you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” The Holy
Spirit is our counselor. He stirs our
hearts and prompts us to act. Don’t try
to be smart, just be obedient.
Orient: Gather
information, past experiences, traditions, and heritage, analyze and
synthesize; We are formed in the image of God!
We are purposed to be creative, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and
prayerful. Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light
for my path.” Proverbs 15:22
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but
with many advisers they succeed.” Seek guidance from your God given mission,
vision, values and priorities. Jeremiah
29:11 "For I know the plans I
have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Luke
14:28-32 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first
sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?
For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees
it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to
finish.' "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king.
Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand
men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not
able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and
will ask for terms of peace.
Decide:
This is where you come to a place of moving thought into action. It is ITSELF an action is followed
through. Coming to a decision is easier
for some. John 1:43 “The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding
Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ "Phil
2:13 “for it is God who works in you to will and to act
according to his good purpose.” Deciding
to walk, leads you to rise from the chair.
If you have no will, you do not do.
Act: Faith
without works is dead. We’re called to
put faith into action and not merely think about it. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own
understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to
take. Luke 11:28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who
hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
Romans 7:15 I can anticipate
the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are
spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of
myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't
understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing
things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is
best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is
necessary.
Loop Back: Revelation
2:3 “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not
grown weary.” Do not allow the enemy,
people, circumstances, or obstacles prevent you from persevering.
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his
purpose.”
