{"id":3273,"date":"2016-04-04T08:00:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T12:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/?p=3273"},"modified":"2025-07-10T10:40:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T14:40:59","slug":"record-keeping-human-wisdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/record-keeping-human-wisdom.htm","title":{"rendered":"Record Keeping Based on Human Wisdom"},"content":{"rendered":"
To get the greatest benefit from this practicum, make sure you have read related training on the site. Click below to read about God’s Power for the Church:<\/em><\/div>\n
God’s Power for the Church: The Gospel<\/a><\/center><\/div>\n

We’ve already established that record keeping and reporting does not have to stand in conflict with God’s ways and power. In fact, they can be a testament to God. That is, as long as we are not basing record keeping on human wisdom. Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote:<\/p>\n

\"RelyFor Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel — not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor. 1:17-18)<\/em><\/p>\n

Though these verses refer to Paul’s preaching of the gospel, the principle that can be applied to any situation is that when we rest on human wisdom, we are robbing the cross of Christ of its power.<\/div>\n

Here’s how record keeping based on human wisdom can rob the cross of its power:<\/h2>\n

1) Human wisdom says the more numbers the better. God, however, looks for more than warm bodies to fill our churches. He desires hearts fully devoted to Him, lives changed by the power of the Gospel. When we use a standard of measurement different from God’s, we are robbing the cross of its power. — Our goals in record keeping need to line up with His!<\/em><\/p>\n

2) Human wisdom says our records reflect what we have accomplished. God, however, brings the change and growth because of the cross of Jesus. We merely plant and water. See 1 Corinthians 3:7. When we look at ourselves as the source of what is good, we are robbing the cross of its power. — Our praise needs to go to Him!<\/em><\/p>\n

3) Human wisdom says that an analysis of the records will determine what we can and cannot do in the future. God’s power, however, determines the possibilities. Our records are just the starting point. When we sum it all up based on what’s on a piece of paper, we empty the cross of its power. God raised Jesus from the dead! Nothing is impossible. Our future possibilities need to depend on Him!<\/em><\/p>\n

For More on These Topics:<\/p>\n