In this episode, we sit down to discuss eight questions leaders should ask themselves as they follow the Lord’s leading through big decisions.
[You can see Pastor Brady’s Eight Questions at the bottom of the podcast notes. If you are able, it might be helpful to view these while listening!]
I’m finding that seminaries are turning out great preachers and teachers… but by their own admission they have fallen short in preparing young men and women for the entrepreneurial [aspects of pastoring]… A lot of pastors make big mistakes that cost them equity with their congregations…
A lot of people have a “good idea” and THEN they pray about it… it can be hard to talk yourself out of a good idea… the best ideas come when we are in prayer—they don’t start with us…
I need to check my motives and be self-aware… what is motivating me to do this… is God really leading me to do this…? In Acts, the Scripture says that “it seemed good to them,” and then they prayed some more…
I know God is leading me to do it when I can’t do it on my own, when it requires faith, when it is scary and unsettling… when there is a peace about hearing his voice and a terror about following it through…
We have brilliant people at New Life that understand systems, structures, and budgets… they’re not there to throw a wet blanket on the plan… plans get tested in the fires of community and scrutiny…
One of the ways that God confirms that he is calling you to do something is that he sends you the people you need to do it with you… often, pastors have great ideas but not the right people to execute them…
A lot of young leaders get hijacked in this process… does the leader have the right TEAM around them… we don’t see any missionary journeys in the New Testament where people go alone… they go out two by two… even the Apostle Paul needed a team…
Do you have a plan to communicate the need? If you’re embarrassed about talking about money, then you’re not going to do anything big for the Lord…
Often, even after all is said and done, the Lord will say “Not yet…” We don’t always see everything that’s going on, so we need to learn to trust those little “pauses”… this is about taking the finalized plan and laying it at the altar one last time…
Knowing what the “win” is ahead of time will give you clarity and help you celebrate…
The Art of Making Big Decisions
Eight Questions
1 – Have we prayed?
2 – Is God leading us to do this?
3 – Do we have the right vision or plan?
4 – Do we have the right leader?
5 – Do we have the right team?
6 – Do we have enough money?
7 – Is this the right time?
8 – What is the win? Why are we doing this?