God's Sovereignty in Ministry Decision Making
God's Sovereignty in Ministry Decision Making
The concept of God's sovereignty is deeply intertwined with Christian understanding of decision-making in ministry. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's sovereignty refers to his "absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure" [1]. This understanding is rooted in biblical passages such as Daniel 4:25, 35, Romans 9:15-23, and 1 Timothy 6:15.
In the context of ministry decision-making, the sovereignty of God implies that He is actively involved in guiding and directing the decisions made by His people. The Psalms affirm God's supreme presidency and power in all councils and courts, stating that "God stands, as chief director, in the congregation of the mighty... and he judges among the gods" [2, 4]. This suggests that God's sovereignty is not limited to grand, cosmic events, but extends to the specific decisions and actions taken by individuals and communities.
The doctrine of predestination or election further underscores the role of God's sovereignty in ministry decision-making. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, predestination refers to God's "eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or 'determinate purpose' of God governing all events" [3]. This understanding is reflected in the writings of the apostle Paul, who notes that God "works all things after the counsel of his will" (Ephesians 1:11).
In the view of Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, God's sovereignty is seen as a source of comfort and guidance for those engaged in ministry. Henry notes that Christ is the one who "puts men into the ministry" and that those whom He calls, He also qualifies [6]. This understanding emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance and wisdom in decision-making.
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, similarly emphasizes the role of God's sovereignty in ministry decision-making. Gill notes that the ministry of the word is designed for the "perfecting of the saints" and that God is the one who "gathers in all that belong to" His church [5].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
- Psalms “God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods. -- Psalms 82:1”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 82:1: We have here, I. God's supreme presidency and power in all councils and courts asserted and laid down, as a great truth necessary to be believed both by princes and subjects (Psa 82:1): God stands, as chief director, in the congregation of the mighty, the mighty One, in coetu fortis - in the councils of the prince, the supreme magistrate, and he judges among the gods, the inferior magistrates; both the legislative and the executive power of princes is under his eye and his hand. Observe here, 1. The power and honour of magistrates; they are the mighty. They are so”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:12: For the perfecting of the saints, The chosen ones, whom God has sanctified or set apart for himself in eternal election: the ministry of the word is designed for the completing the number of these in the effectual calling; and for the perfecting of the whole body of the church, by gathering in all that belong to it, and of every particular saint, who is regenerated and sanctified by the Spirit of God: for the best of saints are imperfect; for though there is a perfection in them, as that designs sincerity, in opposition to hypocrisy, and as it may be taken comparat”
- 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 1:12: Here the apostle, I. Returns thanks to Jesus Christ for putting him into the ministry. Observe, 1. It is Christ's work to put men into the ministry, Act 26:16, Act 26:17. God condemned the false prophets among the Jews in these words, I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied, Jer 23:21. Ministers, properly speaking, cannot make themselves ministers; for it is Christ's work, as king and head, prophet and teacher, of his church. 2. Those whom he puts into the ministry he fits for it; whom he calls he qualifies. ”