Where there is no guidance, a people falls, 

but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. 

Proverbs 15:22

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. 

Proverbs 11:14

by wise guidance you can wage your war, 

and in abundance of counselors there is victory. 

Proverbs 24:6

When you make a major decision, who do you talk to? Who do you seek advice from? Is there anyone? 

If the answer to these questions is “no one,” I’m going to suggest it’s time to make a change. To be a Christian is to belong not only to God, but his church. God has surrounded you with counsel that will make your life better. There are also people outside the church that you could seek counsel for some things, but church family helps us get out of our limited perspective to hear from others who are following Jesus. 

This is one way you could make use of your pastors.

It’s not that you need to be told what to do, but all of us need to see our situation from an outside and wise perspective. Not every person in the church is healthy enough to receive and give perspective, but there are plenty of mature people from whom you could get input. The Proverbs show us that a person of wisdom is a person who has their vision sharpened by good counsel.

“The eye cannot see the eye” - Ancient Proverb

1. Recognize that no matter how smart, informed, mature, and wise you are, you need counsel. Your perspective and personality have gaps. You have bias. You have incomplete information. The greatest fool is the one who is wise in his own eyes.

2. Never make a huge decision without talking with several mature Christians who know and love you. For example: When I left my post as the pastor of Living Stones Church in Reno to come to this church, I talked with several godly people. I called a mentor who is a wise business man who serves as an Elder at his church in Atlanta. I called my counselor and mentor of 15 years and processed the situation with him. I called the head of the Acts 29 Church planting network. I talked to several Elders and leaders at the church who know and love me. And of course, I had long conversations with my wife and eventually my kids on whether this is the best decision for our family.After hearing all of these perspectives and daily prayer I made a decision. That decision was affirmed by the Elders of the church and people in my life.

3. This is the essence of community. You are not actually in community if this is not part of your experience. Biblical community is not just hanging out with other Christians. Biblical community is experienced in proximity, vulnerability, authority, accountability, and service.

4. Be ready to be counsel for others. I don’t mean telling people what to do or manipulation toward your personal preference, but serving them by helping them see through your eyes. Helping them discover God’s will for them.

5. Big decisions are like a three-legged stool, and each leg has a word on it.

(3 bold words below)

Scripture

Does the Bible address this situation (directly or indirectly)? How can I prioritize this decision among other weighty realities in my life? Will this have a negative affect on my spiritual life?

Opportunity

Has someone affirmed this thing by granting me an opportunity?

Community 

Do the people around me affirm this thing as a good decision for me and those I love?

When you sit on the stool of decision and these three things are present, I think you should move forward. God will shut the door if it is not his will. He will also open things up (with a lot of struggle) if it is his will.

Consider this: Even the Trinity does not unilaterally make decisions, but the True God has a divine community (of three fully divine persons) that his will flows from.

How much more do we need outside perspective?

Grace and peace,

Pastor Harvey