The 8 Keys to Know You’re Making the Right Decision
Do we or do we not? That is the question we often ask ourselves… Decisions in ministry can be tough…
In life and ministry we are continually faced with making decisions. We wonder whether anyone notices the agony we go through trying to do it right.
Sometimes the stakes are small; sometimes they are gargantuan. In all cases, no one wants to make a wrong decision.
So how do you know if you are hitting the mark or not? In my years of life and ministry I’ve identified eight keys to knowing whether or not people are making the right decision.
1. Pray
For some this sounds like the trite response any Christian will give when they don’t know what to do. I’d challenge that. How about making this the first thing you do REGARDLESS of whether you know what to do or not?
You might be surprised at what could happen when you pray first. By the way, Jesus was a pretty good model, when time after time “…Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).
While you know this to be an important practice, do you do it as frequently as you should when making decisions?
2. Seek Counsel
You are not an island. You do not live in a bubble. There are people around you, those God has given you, who stand ready to provide counsel on the small and big issues in your life and ministry. Take advantage of that.
And I might note, seeking counsel does not mean you are incompetent. Even if it feels like a hit to your pride when making decisions in areas where you should know what to do.
It’s just plain wisdom to talk with others before making decisions. The Bible says it clearly, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success” (Proverbs 15:22).
3. Live Righteously
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33). This is a phenomenal verse that strikes at the heart of our decision-making… and it’s a good reminder even for pastors!
When you are making a decision, make sure you have been living righteously because when you have done so, “…he will give you everything you need.”
Your lifestyle and the blessing of God are directly tied. Live righteously in the present and you will receive what you need (a good decision) as you continue in the future.
(NOTE: Want to know the proper roles and responsibilities for Church Boards? Click here)
4. Weigh Alternatives
When considering the pros and cons of all your options, be sure to lay them side-by-side. Even do the old-school sheet of paper with a line down the middle — pros on the left and cons on the right.
You’ll be surprised what this simple process will do to help you clearly see the right direction you need to make. Always count the cost before moving forward with decisions.
I have found sometimes the excitement of a particular decision seems like it’s the way to go, but then when you begin weighing out both sides you actually can find that you may need to go a different direction. Weighing alternatives is HUGE!
5. Evaluate Best- and Worse-Case Scenarios
As part of your exercise of weighing all the options, you need to pay close attention to the best-case and worse-case scenarios. There really are bad things that can happen, and there really are good things that can happen. Play both scenarios out to their logical conclusion so you can be fully prepared.
Sometimes when you discover what the worse-case scenario could be, you immediately know the decision you are embarking on is not right. Evaluating the risk versus reward will help you know if the decision you are making is right.
6. Listen to your feelings
Now this can be tricky because your feelings can be deceptive. At the same time, knowing what your gut feeling is on a particular decision is important. Do you have an excitement about the potential decision? Or are you scared to death of a decision?
Often an enthusiasm towards your situation helps confirm a decision is right. On the contrary, if you’re so scared of pulling the trigger, it may mean that it’s not the right call to make. The best place to be is where you have a healthy fear because it helps you rely on God.
(NOTE: Want to know the proper roles and responsibilities for Church Boards? Click here)
7. Make the Decision
Sometimes you will have enough information to make an informed decision, but that doesn’t always seem to be the case.
In the final analysis you may have to make the decision with less-than-ideal circumstances or with incomplete information. That is the price of leadership. That is the faith journey. If it were easy, you wouldn’t have to do it, someone else could.
8. Be Firm
Stick to your guns. You might be wrong, but never be in doubt. Oftentimes it’s the “buyer’s remorse” feeling that kicks in.
Of course, if after you make the call you see the need to adjust it, then so be it. Nobody makes the perfect decision every time and that’s okay. However, unless you’ve found you need to adjust your decision, walk with confidence that you have made the right call.
In almost all cases, when you have done these eight things you can be confident you made the right call.
These keys for decision-making will help as you lead and invest in the great church you serve. They will give confidence when uncertainty surrounds your decision because you know you have processed the decision properly and as God would want you to.
QUESTION: What is another key you’ve found to help you make right decisions?
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