Making Tough Decisions When the Bible Doesn't Offer a Clear Answer

Ever found yourself wishing for a clear biblical directive when making a tough decision? Welcome to the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, where I, Todd Rhoades, co-founder of Chemistry Staffing, tackle the unsettling reality that sometimes, the Bible doesn't provide a straightforward answer. On today's episode, you'll gain essential insights into navigating complex ethical dilemmas, controversial social issues, and challenging personnel decisions in a way that honors God and serves your community.

Join me as I explore practical strategies for making wise decisions in gray areas. From praying for divine guidance and consulting scripture for principles to seeking wise counsel from trusted mentors and colleagues, I'll share valuable tips to help you confidently approach decision-making. Plus, discover the importance of considering the impact on others and trusting your instincts when something doesn't feel right. Remember, you're not alone in this—every pastor and church staff member faces these challenges. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on how to rely on God's guidance and lead with wisdom in uncertain times.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:07

Hey there, welcome to the Healthy Church Staff Podcast. My name is Todd Rhodes, I'm one of the co-founders over at chemistrystaffingcom and I'm your host today here on the podcast. And today we're going to be diving into a topic that can sometimes keep us up at night, and it's making tough decisions when the Bible doesn't offer a clear-cut answer. I don't know if you're like me, but, man, I wish that for every decision I needed to make whether it's personally, for my family, financially, for my kids, vocationally, all of those I wish that there was a chapter and verse that I could go to. I would just say Todd, don't be stupid, do this. But you know what? A lot of times there just isn't, and often, as church leaders, we face situations that aren't explicitly addressed in scripture, and it could be a really complex ethical dilemma. It could be a controversial social issue, it could be a challenging personnel decision that you need to make, and in these gray areas it's really easy to feel lost and uncertain and even a little bit scared. But here's the truth Not every decision comes with a neat and tidy biblical solution. While the Bible is our ultimate guide, it doesn't provide a step-by-step manual for every situation we encounter. I wish it did, but it doesn't. So how do we navigate these gray areas, those areas where we wish the Bible spoke, but it really doesn't? It gives direction, but it doesn't really help us make our final decision. So how do we make decisions that honor God and serve the best interests of our church and our community?

Speaker 1: 1:56

Throughout history, theologians and church leaders have been wrestling with this challenge of exactly this applying biblical principles to complex and ever-changing situations. And while there's not a one-size-fits-all answer, they do and have offered up some valuable insights on how we can approach decision-making in the absence of clear biblical directives. John Stott, a famous theologian, once said the Bible gives us principles but not programs. So in other words, the Bible provides us with a framework for understanding God's will and character, but it's really up to us to carefully apply those principles to the specific situations that we face. So how in the world do you do that? How do you navigate those gray areas with wisdom and discernment and a willingness to really seek God's counsel?

Speaker 1: 2:43

Let me give you just a few tips here. Maybe these will be encouraging and maybe there'll be some good advice for you. I hope so. The first is and this almost seems like don't even say it because it's just such a given, but pray for guidance, seek God's wisdom and direction through prayer, ask him to give you clarity and peace and courage to make the right decision. And even if there's not a specific book and chapter and verse, you still consult scripture. While the Bible might not answer the direct answer, the yes or the no, or do this or do that, it can provide some valuable principles and insights that guide your decision-making.

Speaker 1: 3:22

Another thing you can do is to seek wise counsel. I do this often, you know. Talk to trusted mentors or colleagues, talk to other staff members at your church, talk to your leadership team, talk to your elders. A lot of times they can offer some valuable perspectives. That kind of help you to weigh those pros and cons of different options and then consider the impact. Think about how your decision will affect others, both within your church and the wider community, and sometimes this can be dangerous. But sometimes you just need to trust your instincts, and instincts are hard to describe. Sometimes it's what you feel like would be the best decision. Other times it's just how is God leading you? If something doesn't feel right, even if you can't pinpoint why, don't be afraid to pause and reconsider that situation. Here's your bottom line for today Making tough decisions in the absence of clear biblical guidance is, honestly, it's part of leadership.

Speaker 1: 4:20

It requires wisdom and discernment and it requires reliance on God's guidance. But remember, you're not alone in this situation. Every pastor in America, every church staff member in America has to do this, has to make decisions on things that are not set out clearly in Scripture. So seek wise counsel, pray for clarity and trust that God will lead you in the right direction. If there's any way, I can help you, either with some coaching or some consulting.

Speaker 1: 4:48

If there's any staff ways that I can help you or your church, I would love to be able to hear your story and see if there's any way that we can work together. Always reach out to me at podcast at chemistrystaffingcom. Thanks for tuning in today. Remember, even in the gray areas, god is with you. I often say God is surprised at nothing. We are surprised, but God is not surprised and he will continue to guide you and give you wisdom that you need to leap, unfurl and convince the bad. I hope you have a great day and I hope you'll join us again here again tomorrow on the Healthy Food Step Podcast. Talk to you soon.