If you are feeling stifled in decision-making, go back to the Great Commission for some help in breaking free. You will first need to determine what it is that might be keeping you from making effective decisions.
- You might be prevented from making decisions due to the lines of authority in an autocratic, hierarchical structure. You might be encumbered with so much red tape that you never seem to get anywhere. You might be micromanaged by those over you.
Remember this part of the Great Commission: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt. 28:18)
- You might be stuck in maintenance mode or tradition, trying to perpetuate what you have always done so decision-making is rather lack-luster, confined to what is routine.
Remember this part of the Great Commission: “Go”
- You might be focused on programs that consume all of your time and attention and bring with them certain constraints in decision-making that make you feel like you can’t get anywhere.
Remember this part of the Great Commission: “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. 28:19-20a)
- You might be stifled by your own fears and insecurities, not willing to take risks in decision-making. You want to stay in your comfort zone.
Remember this part of the Great Commission: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20)
The Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide includes this content with a brief thought about each point.
For More, Go To: Great Commission Discipleship Resources
All Posts about Decision-Making:
- Making Decisions That Line Up
- Decision-Making Questions for Lining Up
- If You Find Yourself Making All the Decisions
- Pluses & Minuses of Getting Others Involved in Decision Making
- Who Makes the Final Decision?
- Stifled in Decision-Making?
- Rushed Decisions
- Delayed Decisions
- Derailed Decisions
- Retrofitted Decisions
- Decisions Reveal Faith in God’s Power?
- Decisions You Don’t Have to Be Ashamed to Make
- Decisions Examined at Foot of the Cross
- Making Decisions from a Place of Humility
- Making Wise Decisions
- Making Decisions Void of Legalism
- Foolish Not to Pray
- Wisdom & Discernment Needed
- Decisions from a Renewed Mind
- Equipped for Making Good Decisions
- The Spirit Helps Us Make the Right Decisions, the Right Way
- The Spirit Provides Guidance and Wisdom in Decision-Making
- Decisions Worthy of Bearing His Name
- Strongholds Affecting Decision-Making
- How to Demolish Strongholds So We Make the Best Decisions
- Protection for the Decision-Making Process
- Decisions Made from Our Raised Position
- Setting an Example in Decision Making
- Servanthood Affects Decision Making
- Leader Qualities that Keep Decisions on the Right Track
- Shepherds Make Wise Decisions
What about leaders who are abusive in their authority and put themselves in the place of God?
The term “abusive” can cover a lot of territory. You must determine if they are expecting you to cross the line into idolatry or sin as revealed in God’s Word. Look at Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the Old Testament as an example. They submitted to the authority of those over them in many ways they may not have wanted to but when it came to bowing down or praying to another god, they drew the line, knowing that they could suffer consequences (Dan. 3, 6). In their cases, God did deliver them but there were others throughout Scripture and history who became martyrs in staying true to God. Remember the words of 1 Peter 3:17 — “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” The verse prior to that verse speaks of the importance of keeping a clear conscious. The problem I have seen in many situations about which you are writing is that so often rebellion against authority is because of preferences or discomfort more than because the leader is expecting us to sin or commit idolatry. We must be careful that we do not sin by our response to such authority. We must heed God’s instruction in Romans 13:1-5, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, and 1 Peter 2:12-17.
Does that mean we will never remove ourselves from such situations?
Perhaps God will want us to leave but in so doing, we must still show utmost respect and honor to those over us. We must do everything we can to leave in peace and with a good conscious. See Romans 12:17-21. We must leave because we are convinced it is God’s will for us, not merely because we are frustrated.
An educative and encouraging one. God bless you