Discernment in the Church

In a previous post, I noted that it was the Church in Antioch that set apart Paul and Barnabus for their first missionary journey. I applied this to missionaries and parachurch workers. It also applies to prospective pastors.

I don’t know how to do this every time in every place in our day. However, I do know how I want it to look like in my life. I don’t usually point to myself as a good example, but I do want to share what I’ve done as a demonstration that it can be done:

I have recently to pursue a Masters in Ministry (M Min) through an organization that helps Churches do Church-based Theological Education. Before applying, I took this to our Board of Deacons, they discussed the issue, and they decided to give their blessing and assistance to this endeavour. Recently, I preached a sermon series through Galatians. At the end, I specifically asked my Pastor what the feedback was from the membership and leaders in our Church. Apparently, no one was ready to hand me over to satan.

Some have asked me if I want to be a Pastor. I really believe that the answer to that is “let’s see where God leads me” and, more specifically, “God leads His people through His Church”. If my Church tells me “not now, but later”, I want to listen to that. If my Church says “no thank you”, I want to listen to that. If my Church says “Now!”, I want to listen to that. Discernment is a process that is done corporately, not just by individuals. And God's prescribed way of gathering His people is the local Church.

By the way, I don’t need a perfect Church for this to happen. Paul trusted the brothers in Antioch, even though this was the same Church that would be/was tricked by Peter’s hypocrisy in Galatians 2*. If Paul can trust his Church, I can trust mine. That doesn’t mean I’ll do whatever they say. It just means that it is a Biblical principle to involve your Church in the discernment process.

I am zealous that this be a part of our culture at our Church. The individualistic approach to calling and discernment is hurting the Church today. I pray that this will change.

*I’m not saying that the events in Galatians 2 occurred before Acts 13. I’m just saying that the hypocrites in Galatians 2 were the same men who laid hands on Paul in Acts 13. Not sure about the timeline myself.