Conviction or Preference?

Years ago I read an insightful piece by Warren Wiersbe about Christian decision making.  As I recall he said that every decision we have to make falls into one of three categories.  They are either matters which are fundamental, matters of conviction, or matters of preference.  Obviously, there is a desending order of importance in these terms.  Now it is entirely legitimate to make a decision based upon considerations from any one of those categories.  What typically happens in Christian circles is that something which really is a preference we elevate to the level of a conviction and possibly even to the level of a fundamental.  The example which comes to my mind is either having a projector "putting the words on the wall" or singing out of the hymnal.  I can't really see how anyone could say that is anything more than a preference.  Yet, if you have been involved in the "worship wars" you know that people are quick to think of themselves as Martin Luther standing up for justification by grace when they defend using hymnals.

The purpose of this post is not to make a strike in the worship war.  I use it simply as introductory to what I do want to say.  Recently I heard of a church board issue where the lay leadership unanimously wanted the pastor to change something about their church.  The pastor refused.  Who was right?  As I heard the story my mind went to that bit of wisdom from Warren Wiersbe.  Was the issue at hand a matter of conviction or preference?  Now, I do think there are times when pastors must be willing to draw a line in the sand about some things.  I see this as a matter of conviction.  However, if it was an issue of preference, even though the pastor disagreed, shouldn't his say leadership have some input?  If it really is a matter of preference, can't some compromise be worked out?

I suppose the bottom line for me was having the wisdom to discern between a conviction and a preference.  That would seem to be common sense.  Unfortunately, common sense is not all that common.  I do hope all of this can be worked out for that church.  I don't suppose I will ever know since I really only accidentally heard the tale. Whatever happens though it has gotten me to thinking about the process of decision making and maybe it has done the same for you.

Giving Thanks

I suppose I will be one of multitudes who will blog about thankfulness this week.  So be it.  I really do want to articulate some of the things that I am thankful for.  As a Christian I am certainly thankful for my salvation, but I want to emphasize one corollary to that concept.  God did not just save me, He called me into the ministry.  That means I have the opportunity to be vitally involved in the spiritual formation of an entire congregation.  Now, there are some of the members here at Bethlehem that I don't seem as connected to as others.  I am not saying there is an antagonism, just not as much of a friendship as with others.  Maybe they are just not looking for that from their pastor.  I am particularly thankful for those that do count me a friend.  I have the privilege of being a coach, a guide, a cheerleader, a spiritual resource, and a prayer partner for them.  To summarize it in biblical terms, I am there to care for their souls.  I cannot imagine a bigger challenge or a more satisfying possible vocation.  I suppose what I'm saying is that I am thankful for my church, but I am also thankful for God's calling to this church.