Policies can take on a life of their own. Soon we can start relying on and deferring to church polity over God and His power. But, it is God’s power than enables us to be the Church, not our policies.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)
Reason to Guard Against Policies Taking on a Life of Their Own
Church policies lead to outward conformity. They cannot change hearts. Only God’s power brings inward transformation.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (Eph. 3:16-17a)
If we depend on policies to get people to be the Church we can become legalistic, confusing people with a works-oriented environment, when in reality, only by God’s grace and power will we be who we should be and do what we should do. The Church is not about our policies but about God’s presence and power.
As we’ve seen in previous posts, they can be useful in the Church. However, they lose their benefit when they take on a life of their own.
The Steering the Church Toward God’s Power Leadership Guide adds a brief consideration of the perspective we need to keep policies from taking on a life of their own. This resource also looks at 24 other leader tasks and responsibilities in light of God’s power.
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