on the walk

The first session of the summit was Bill Hybels talking about decision making in leadership.

I am allergic to fame (I think that this is mainly because I want to be famous and I am jealous) and so I always expect to dislike Hybels. That expectation is never met. Every time I hear him speak he is fantastic. Even when he is trying to sell me something that I don’t want and think is a waste of paper, I respect him because I’m convinced that he believes in the product and is offering it not to make a buck but because he truly thinks it is good.

His first talk was excellent. He outlined a straightforward strategy for Christian decision making.

1. Set a deadline for the decision so that you know you will make it.
2. If scripture makes it clear what is right, then you are done.
3. Seek wise advisers. (He commented that we shouldn’t be surprised if different advisers give us different advice.)
4. Look at your own experience, both painful and not.
5. Listen to the spirit. It was in this section that he mentioned the key nugget I took away. He suggested that if a decision is hard to make and the previous three factors do not make the right choice clear, than before a decision deadline we should make the decision in a trial way. Then we can walk around for a couple of days with the decision made in our heads. If the decision brings life and peace that is a good confirmation. If it brings dis-ease and concern that would be a cause to rethink our decision.
6. Make the decision. I found this to be a helpful reminder. If all the facts are in, and good counsel has been sought and scripture has been consulted and the guidance of the spirit has been invited, then there is no reason to delay a decision. It may be that the only road to a right decision is a wrong decision and if this is the case, then only making a decision will lead you to a right decision. Delay after all the facts are in serves no purpose.

on the walk

-Ethan

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