What if every board meeting began with more than an agenda—what if it began with an invitation to discernment?
At the Church Training Center, we believe church leadership is more than a series of motions, reports, and decisions. It is a sacred practice, where the wisdom of the Spirit meets the practical needs of the community. Yet for many boards and committees, decision making feels more like a business transaction than a movement of faith.
Why Discernment Matters in Leadership
In our experience coaching mid-size churches and judicatory offices, we’ve seen a recurring challenge: leaders are expected to make complex decisions with limited time and resources, while also carrying the hopes, anxieties, and histories of their communities. Without a rhythm of spiritual discernment, meetings can become reactive and transactional, missing the opportunity to listen for where God is leading next.
Discernment transforms decision making by grounding it in prayer, scripture, and intentional listening—to God, to each other, and to the realities facing the church. It creates space for both clarity and humility, and it draws forth the collective wisdom that only emerges when boards move from debating issues to discerning possibilities.
Three Practices to Foster Spiritual Discernment in Your Next Meeting
Begin with Centering Prayer or Scripture
Open your time not just with a prayer for success, but with a pause for silent reflection or a brief meditation on scripture (such as James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God…”). This signals to all that your meeting’s purpose is deeper than business as usual.Ask Spirit-Led Questions, Not Just Business Ones
Try beginning discussion with questions like, “Where have we sensed God’s presence in our work?” or “What might faithfulness look like in this decision?” Rather than rushing to solutions, let the board reflect on how values and mission shape your options.Practice Listening Circles
Before deciding on complex or contentious issues, invite each board member to share—without interruption—what they are noticing, feeling, or sensing. This practice honors every voice and often reveals deeper concerns or hopes that might otherwise remain hidden.
A Question for Your Board
What spiritual practices help your board move from debate to discernment? When have you experienced decision-making as a sacred act rather than a mere task?
Invitation
If your board is ready to explore Spirit-led leadership, we invite you to:
Join our Effective Church Leadership Community and join the conversation
Schedule a consultation or join an upcoming cohort to experience discernment in action
Together, let’s reimagine church leadership as a journey of faithful, Spirit-infused decision making.