The Great Commission provides the big picture that should be behind policies.
The Big Picture Issue: His authority
The Great Commission begins,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me'” (Matt. 28:18).
In drafting policies we must get beyond what we think is the right thing to do. We must always remember that He is Lord. His ways are right. His ways are best.
The Big Picture Issue: His mission
The Great Commission continues,
“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” (Matt. 28:19-20).
When determining what kinds of policies need to be developed we must get beyond how it effects our own church. We must think about the Church Universal and the world around us. We must consider our testimony.
The Big Picture Issue: His presence
The Great Commission ends with Jesus saying,
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
When thinking about policies we must get beyond the rules and regulations to the higher principles. We must consider what most honors the Lord and welcomes His presence in our place.
In light of the Great Commission we must conclude that policies made in the church should not reflect a pastor’s or other leaders’ pet peeves but rather the Lord. They should be lining up with God heart, rule, and mission. They should be something to which Jesus would be willing to sign His name.
Your find what you read here in the Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide along with a few questions about your policy-making practices under each big picture issue.
All Posts about Policy Making:
- Policy Making Objectives
- Policy Making Parameters
- Policy Making & the Big Picture
- Policy Making & Freedom in Christ
- Policies with No Hidden Agendas
- Policies Reflecting Both Grace & Truth
- Church Policies & the Next Generation
- Don’t Let Policies Take on a Life of Their Own
- Spiritual Gifts in Determining Policies
- Spiritual Gifts for Writing Policies
- Spiritual Gifts Suited for Implementing Policies
- Turning to God or to Church Policies?
- God’s Your Defender, Not Your Church Policies
- Policies Shaped by the Gospel
- Policies Reflecting the Gospel
- Policies Shaped by Grace
- Policy-Making Safeguarded by Grace
- Why Policies When We Have God’s Word?
- Power to Maintain the Proper Focus in Policymaking
- Policies Reflecting the Resurrection
- Church Policies Done in the Name of the Lord Jesus