Getting others involved in decision making could at times be a matter of obedience in lining up with God’s design for the Body. He has built into the Body an interdependence, value on the contributions of others, and a plan for everybody to have a part. See: God’s Blueprint Design for Building the Church
That should be enough to motivate us to get others involved in making decisions but we also have pragmatic reasons.
The Pluses: Benefits of Getting Others Involved in Decision Making
- leads to greater creativity so you have the potential of a more excellent result
- provides varying perspectives so you see the bigger picture
- challenges alternative thinking so you don’t get stuck in a rut
- engenders more ownership so you find a greater commitment in implementing the decision
The Minuses: Perceived Negatives of Getting Others Involved in Decision Making
- can take longer to arrive at a decision
- can take more effort gathering input
- everyone won’t always agree
The Conclusion:
God’s ways are not always the easiest ways. Nor do they always take the path of least resistance. In the end, however, the pluses exceed the minuses for when everybody does their part, the Body “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph. 4:16).
This content about decision-making is included in the Steering the Church Toward Body Life Leadership Guide along with a look at twenty-four other areas leaders should reflect and promote God’s design for the Church.
For More Resources on Body Life, Go to: Body Life 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