ConvergeUSA Blog

Developing Discernment by Lee Stephenson

When I think about discernment, I think of maturity. If discernment is part of maturing then it isn’t something that comes natural. Because humanity is naturally rebellious we can say that humanity has a bias towards sin. In other words, we are drawn to sin. A person that wants to grow in the art of discernment must also be a a person of courageous humility. The reason being it is hard to discern the workings of God when you have an arrogant attitude or personal bent.

Here are two specific areas where humility is necessary:

1. Humility before God:

To humble ourselves at the foot of the cross and admit that we are indeed sinful and in need of grace, is to also acknowledge our own lack of discernment.  The very concept of needing a savior is to also realize that our own wisdom is incomplete and totally insufficient.  Furthermore, our wisdom is not only insufficient but we are ignorant in the application of it.  The ability to naturally discern what is pleasing to God was lost in the garden of Eden.  However, it is through the reconciliation found in Jesus and the special revelation of God’s Word that discernment can once again mature.  As a result, we must hunger and cry out to the Creator for wisdom. Secondly, we must humble ourselves to the study and application of God’s Word, knowing that it will teach us all that needs to be known.

2. Humility before Others:

Even though humility before God is absolutely critical, there is another area in which we must practice humility and that is before other believers.  A person who desires to grow in discernment must also acknowledge that God often times uses others to help one grow in wisdom, knowledge, and discernment.  The Christian life was never meant to be lived out as individuals in isolation.  It is to be lived out in community where there is diversity of personalities and gifting.  Living life in community helps us harness and mature in the skill of discernment.  For instance…A person desiring to be discerning must always take into account their own motives.  They must be motivated to protect, teach, and to encourage their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  To do this well is to be a person of discernment.  However, to do this well is to also place yourself under the same rule.  For you cannot teach, protect, and encourage unless you open yourself up to others in the same way.  There has to be a willingness to hear reproof and to be challenged by others.  And there is no doubt that this is a test of humility.  And yet, it is imperative to maturing in discernment.  (HT)

Lee Stephenson is the Lead Pastor of Harvest Community Church in Mesa, Az a new church with Converge Southeast and Vision Arizona

Spiritual Warfare: Deceptive Leaders with Slick Teaching by Gary Rohrmayer

This week we continue to answer the following question: How does God’s enemy come after His people and His leaders for the sole purpose of distracting, disrupting and derailing them from being involved in God's great mission?

As we survey Pauline literature we will discover fourteen tactical strategies that the enemy will use to come after God's people along with specific antidotes in addressing that problem.  See the introduction to this series to receive an overview of this subject.

5. Deceptive Leaders with Slick Teaching

Text: II Corinthians 11:14-15 - And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Problem: “Satan can counterfeit good things that attract believers (e.g. apparent good teaching; false apostles). Satan can appear like a messenger from God to deceive Christians.” J. Robert Clinton

Antidote:“Get discernment on apparent good teaching, apparent dynamic leaders. This may involve having to depend on people with revelatory gifts (discerning of spirits; word of knowledge; word of prophecy; word of wisdom, etc.).” J. Robert Clinton

Reflective Questions:

• When is the last time your prayed for the spiritual protection of your church?
• Would you describe your church as one with the spirit of the Bereans? (Acts 17:11)
• How dependant are you on the revelatory gifts of Scripture?
• Who in your circles would have those revelatory gifts?

Prayer: Father of Light, protect my life from the deception of the enemy, protect your church from false teachers and hirelings, produce a spiritual depth and a hunger for truth throughout your church.  May we have the noble character of the Bereans receiving the word of God with eagerness and thoroughly examine the Scriptures everyday.  May you grant the church with the spiritual gift of discernment to see behind the slick or even successful teaching.   May we see ‘sound doctrine’ promoted and embraced throughout the church, my we learn to ‘think correctly’ and ‘practice the truth appropriately’ for your glory and honor.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Next week: Unchecked Anger

To view the entire series of posts on Spiritual Warfare

What Can We Learn From Kitchen Nightmares by Gary Rohrmayer

My son Dan has introduced me to a very interesting television show called Kitchen Nightmares starring Chef Gordon Ramsey.

Here is the basic premise: Chef Ramsey is invited by a struggling restaurateur to help the turnaround their struggling restaurant. Most of these restaurants are on the brink of bankruptcy...hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and months from closing.

After watching several episodes I have learned his basic strategy:

1. Address the Leadership Problem.  I am amazed at the defensiveness of these owners. Their uncoachable attitudes. Their unwillingness to change or receive advice from an expert that they brought in to help them.

2. Attack the Quality of Service.  Chef Ramsey inspects the cleanliness of the kitchen, the quality of the food and service.  On every show he gets the owner to personally clean the kitchen.  He addresses attitudes of the service staff. He brings in all fresh food.

3. Fix the Atmosphere.  On every show they completely overhaul the restaurant decor and the first impressions from the community.

4. Make Everything Simpler.  Complexity is the curse of many restaurants.  Too many items on the menu affects the quality of the food. Chief Ramsey brings in a simple menu based around fresh, colorful, easy to make food.

5. Find a Marketable Idea for the Restaurant.  Ramsey goes out in the community to find a marketable idea to create buzz in the community.

6. Create Buzz in the Community.  He gets all of the restaurant staff to go out in the community to serve food at a locally sponsored event. They hand out old fashion fliers. Improve their signage.  They even wear corny tee-shirts.  He invites local celebrities to come to the relaunch; anything that creates a stir in the community and says something new is happening.

7. Relaunch.  All the buzz that is generated is purposefully pointed to a relaunch of the restaurant.  New attitudes, new decor, new menu, new improved service...and that means new customers.

8. Provide Ongoing Coaching.  Sometimes Chef Ramsey will provide a coach/consultant to work with the owner and staff to keep up the quality of service.

The overwhelming majority of churches around the world are like these struggling restaurants. 

Here are a few reflective questions as we continue our focus on Church Health this month.

• What attitudes are keeping you, as the spiritual leader, from moving your church forward?
• Do you really know the quality of service you are bringing to your people?
• What does the physical atmosphere of your location say to members, new visitors and your community?
• What could you do to simplify the focus of your church?
• When is the last time you asked your community what it needs and how could your church help in meeting that need?
• What type of buzz is being generated by your church?
• Do you have the strength to pull off a relaunch of the church's mission and vision?
• Are you open to having a consultant or coach work with you?

Do you want help in seeing your church nightmare become a sweet dream? We would love to help you. Contact Converge MidAmerica