this in the area of decision making. It may not be clear in some in stances as to who has the right and responsibility for determining cer tain courses of action. Some like to exert their authority when it is not really their prerogative or when they might not be capable. Decisions can be grouped into specific categories. The three lev els are "legislative," "executive," and "performance." For example, the church that does not clearly understand who the legislative body is can experience a great deal of frustration and difficulty. These are decisions made within the cor porate organization. Some years ago it was my privi lege to serve a church which had gone through some real difficulty. Unfortunately decisions had been made by the entire group. Nothing was really delegated. The pastor, as well as the deacons, could only recommend. They could not really make any final judgments for them selves. The first order of business was to work with them closely in determining what matters they would need to agree upon as a group. Until these basics were es tablished, proper development and progress could not be made. Another area of concern comes about as a result of confusion over who is responsible for certain du ties. Assignments have to be based upon an individual's respective gifts. They should only do what they are equipped to achieve. Unfortunately it is very easy to be deceived. There is an interesting hill in Southern California where thousands of tourists visit. Motor ists can stop their car, shut off their engines, release the brakes, and then seem to go up hill. It is a
strange phenomenon of perspec tive. The eye tells the brain that the cars are rolling up rather than down hill. The deception is amaz ing. Similarly it is possible for us to look at an operative situation and arrive at the wrong conclu sions. Our churches must be struc tured on order and decency. It must be done on the basis of prin ciple not expediency with person nel who may be involved at the moment. Someone has said that order is the sanity of the mind, the health of the body, the peace of the city, and the security of the state. As beams to a house and bones to a body, so is order to all things. I am convinced that the basic path to order in our local churches is that of answering properly ques tions concerning decisions and work. May the words of Scripture be impressed again on our hearts, "Let all things be done decently and in order." This should be not only for peace of mind, but also for the testimony we have before the world. FOR THIS CAUSE One of the basic questions peo ple ask today is, "Why was I born?" Our Lord Jesus Christ testified, "For this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth" (John 18:37). While the world may often experience pur poselessness, unfortunately this can sometimes be reflected in the af fairs of our churches. The com mands which Cod gave to His ser vants, recorded in both Old and New Testaments, clearly show the determined purpose and objectives which the Lord established. Do you know why you are living? Is the evidence of your conviction
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