One of the rooms we host each year in Nashville at Lads is for folks to come get between meal goodies. There is often a big difference in folks. Some come in with a very specific mission. They know what they're looking for, often by brand name, they grab it up and leave. Others come and stand, carefully looking over everything, and pondering over each item. Sometimes after a considerable time some will ask, "Do you have any¬thing else?" Often, indeed we do!
All decisions in life are not equal. Deciding what snack you want to eat is far different from deciding what house to buy or job to take. Moral decisions are even more challenging. Often in addition to deciding what is morally right, there is the task of deciding whether or not we are willing to do what is right. All people don't use the same rules to make decisions. I have a friend that is so concerned about how others are going to react to their decision that they will rarely make one at all. Other people thrive on decision making. They have a opinion on nearly any topic and will share it with you, often whether you ask for it or not! Others hate being told what to do and always want to be presented with options that they can choose from.
Good church leadership is much more than just decision making. But from time to time leaders do have to determine a course of action on even complex issues. They need a good understanding of themselves and though their views are strongly held, they must not be insensitive to the views of others. There is one trait that distinguishes truly good moral leadership; though sensitive to the desires of others, they will not go along with what is wrong, even if it means going it alone.
When Joshua was an old man and was preparing to die, he stood with the leaders of Israel at Shechem. They had traveled many miles together. They were friends and family. But a decision had to be made. (Josh 24:15) "... if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in hose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
- Tim Orbison