Discerning God's Will Together: A Spiritual Practice for the Church

by Danny E. Morris, Charles M. Olsen

Imagine making decisions about your church based on the question, "God, is this your will?" This idea is the premise behind Discerning God's Will Together. This contemporary book offers a fresh alternative to the often-rancorous parliamentary procedures many church groups use when making important decisions.

Structured around church traditions and biblical examples of decision-making, this book explains how to seek and find God's will when making a decision. Any size group can use the step-by-step approach provided by the authors.

Genres: Spirituality, Church

174 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 1990

Reviews

[Darceylaine]

I used a modification of this process to talk with my congregations about whether we should close our doors. The distinction between discernment and other modes of choosing was important to us. The structure itself was too formal for us and really designed for a larger congregation but the basic ideas were very helpful

[Mark Sequeira]

One of the most important aspects of being the church is hearing the voice of God together. Unfortunately, few churches actually believe in or practice "The Headship of Christ" in the church being content to have Jesus as an absent landlord who occasionally checks in with the pastor or elder board and demand an account of their decision-making. This book is an important correction. I first picked up on the distinction from the critical missionary church planting book, "The New Testament Order for Church and Missionary" by A. Rattray Hay in his chapter on teaching others how to discover the will of God together through prayer. A lost art. Prayerfully rediscovered.

[Steve]

For most folks, the topic is a bit too esoteric. And, even in the clear fashion by which Morris and Olsen try to present it, discernment can come across at too mystic for the average person to try. That said, they do a good job of laying out the process and showing there is actually a process...rather than a overly spiritualized and navel gazing thing that gets nothing done. It's not for everyone, but holds some great ideas.

[Julia Nixon]

This is a well written, informative, and inspiring book, but some parts tend to be a little too technical with processes for discernment.

[Scott Hinsche]

Pretty good

This short book has some helpful tips on discernment, but it is a bit unrealistic and bland. It almost could've been a long article.

[Sam McBratney]

really practical guide with solid theological basis