Making decisions that we know affect other people is one of the most challenging things we do as people, parents, citizens, neighbors, and leaders. Oftentimes, we begin placing our thoughts, feelings, and potential outcomes through a filter. Almost certainly, we never use a single filter. More often than not, we use a hodgepodge of filters such as personal experience, limited knowledge, trusted input, and our intuition. And, as Jesus followers, we strive to also apply the filter of God’s Word that is light to our path (Psalm 119:105).

So, how do we make big decisions that affect (literally) thousands of people? I can’t say that I’m an expert, but I will share a few things I’ve learned over the years about decision making that have been affirmed in the last eight months.

We pray. Prayer roots us in our Master Decision Maker, Jesus. The fundamental reason a decision needs to be made is either we don’t know what to do next or we already know what we need to do and we need the confidence to do it. For both reasons, we bathe every decision in prayer. We reflect and thank God for his faithfulness in decision making in the past. We rest in the truth that God is the chief decision maker. And, we place our trust in whatever conclusion God will bring us to in the end. Prayer also invites us to present to God our collective insecurities and worry. We become vulnerable with God and each other which increases our trust in each other as a team. We take seriously, “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5). It’s almost like we have a collective, constant, and ongoing conversation with God - which is the heart of a life of prayer.

We center ourselves on Jesus’ mission. Like a magnetic field always shows us “true north”, Jesus’ mission always shows us where to go next. Jesus’ personal mission was to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and we see that every decision Jesus made pulled him closer to Jerusalem, the cross, and the empty grave. Fast forward to the early church, we see that every decision that was made was oriented toward Jesus’ co-mission: to make disciples of all people (Matthew 28:19-20). Both individually and as a church, we center ourselves on Jesus’ mission for us: to make disciples who love God, love people, and live like Jesus. Anything that distracts us from Jesus’ “true north” is given less priority which frees us to keep walking in Jesus’ direction.

Now - I don’t believe there is always one correct decision. Rather, God has given us incredible freedom to choose how best to follow Him both individually and as a church. Oftentimes, our own fear of failure or anxiety concerning disagreement fuel our indecision. Ed Stezer, Professor at Wheaton College once said that if you want everyone to like you, go sell ice cream. Making decisions is not for the faint of heart. Decisions are hard and a common agreement on a shared mission brings unity, disarms fear, and brings peace in the conviction that anything that loves and serves others is the best decision we can make.

We ask questions which lead to principles. Conversation begins with questions that might sound like, “what do we believe God sees as the ultimate outcome?” and “what do we know today about the challenge?”. Each of us has a different perspective and the difference of opinions matter. Clarifying our thoughts and seeking understanding from each other builds a cohesion of consensus. For example, when it comes to onsite worship, God’s outcome is that we live lives of worship because that’s what heaven will be like - a never-ending worship service at the throne of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Our challenge today is multi-faceted. There are guidelines, attitudes, underlying beliefs about the virus, the hard science of medical pandemics, social stigmas, organizational ethics and liability, and the list goes on. Throughout our conversations, principles emerged such as, “relationships are king” and “we move forward when it is wise and safe to do so”. If mission keeps us oriented to Jesus’ “true north”, then principles define the parameters of what we are willing to do.

We seek wisdom and input. Like a dinner buffet, everything looks good. Yet, we know that some options are more sensible than others. The way we discern which option might be the best to pursue, we ask for input from a variety of people. In this sense, decision making is very much a community sport. On behalf of our team, I solicit collective wisdom from our Board of Directors, our team of elders, other ministry staff and leaders, field experts (such as our Medical Advisory Team), and those we know and trust in our greater community. They see things we cannot see. They know things we do not know. Their wisdom and input makes us all better. Every piece of input is extremely helpful because it affirms our proposed decision, refines it, or leads us in another direction. In all three cases, we win because the best decision is both the one that is avoided and the one that is affirmed.

We commit. Knowing that our decision is a team effort, we are committed to its implementation, follow through, and owning the results - both success and failures. Every decision is a learning experience that sharpens our skills more and more so that more people can be invited to make disciples who love God, love people, and live like Jesus.

When I think about it, these learnings intersect making decisions in most of life - from diets to elections. So much of life is about growing in our ability to make wise decisions.

In the end, I believe that decision making is a skill that we develop over time. With that said, we know that the biggest decision of all time that gives us confidence in every decision we make has already made. God made the decision to send Jesus to love us, die for us, come back to life for us, forgive us, renew us, and lead us as we continue making disciples who love God, love people, and live like Jesus.

I’d love to hear what you think about decision making! You can send me a note at pastortim@oslc.com.

Love you more than you know.

​In Protestant churches around the world, the Reformation is usually observed on the last Sunday of October. For those who are still tracking with time in 2020, that’s this Sunday. The day is usually filled with reminders of reformers like John Calvin and Martin Luther clarifying and crystalizing the gospel message that God’s salvation is by grace alone through faith alone rooted in scripture alone which is all about Christ alone.

And while the spiritual outcomes of the Reformation are certainly foundational to who we are Jesus followers, I think the Reformation might mean something more for us - especially this year. It’s so easy to forget that the Reformation wasn’t just a spiritual renewal, but also one of political, economic, and social change and how Jesus is the only solution that can get us there.

For a moment, let’s think about the Reformation as a period of time between 1517 and 1648 (instead of a one-time event). LutheranReformation.org helps frame out its significance. Here are some highlights:

• Throughout the 1400s and 1500s, children were told stories of the 75 million people died from the mid-1300’s Bubonic Plague
• In 1436, information accelerated with the Gutenberg Press
• In 1444, the first European slave market started in Lago, Portugal
• Then, in 1450, Portuguese bring African slaves to Cape Verde Islands
• Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue in 1492
• Scotch is first reportedly made in 1494
• The early 1500’s saw political alliances form between the church and government partially resulting in a bloody crusade (Christianized ‘Holy War’) against the Turks
• Early 1500’s the peasant’s revolution begins underground over oppression and discrimination and eventually erupts in a 1524 war led by Thomas Münzer
• In 1510, the Wheelock firearm was introduced in Nürnberg, Germany; the same year the First African slaves were brought to the New World (Haiti)
• In 1543, Christians are burned at the stake, alive
• In 1543, Copernicus declares the sun is the center of the universe; in 1592, Galileo invented the thermometer; and in 1595, Janssen invented the microscope
• The Thirty Years War begins in 1618

We could sum it all up like this: in a world of blurred religion and politics, questioning science and discovery, increasing social disparity and inequity, rumors of revolution, and fractured relationships, the words of Jesus Culture’s song, One Thing Remains echoes in my mind:

Dread is real. And it takes a toll on our mental wellness.

On March 12, 2020, New York Times Opinion Columnist, David Brooks said, “Some disasters, like hurricanes and earthquakes, can bring people together, but if history is any judge, pandemics generally drive them apart. These are crises in which social distancing is a virtue. Dread overwhelms the normal bonds of human affection”. And to think, Brooks wrote these words before the economic uncertainty, social disharmony, and the national election really heated up.

Dread is a specific kind of fear that expects the worst. Even the most positive person experiences a sense of dread over something. Dread is real.

The good news is that Jesus finds himself in a world of dread - and He does something about it. Think about it:

• The government tried to have Jesus killed.
• One season of poor weather could be the difference between his country’s feast or famine.
• Culture was at a tipping point as Rome inched closer to taking over Jerusalem.
• Protests and riots were frequent in urbanized areas.
• Injustice and discrimination was commonplace for both Jews and Samaritans.
• Taxes were high. Morale was low. The debt that people owed needed to be reconciled.
• Dirty, backroom deals were made between supposed respectable leaders.
• And when leadership mattered most, the judge washed his hands of the situation.

I can only imagine how dread-filled people living in a dreadful moment received Jesus’ words.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life… Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life… your heavenly Father already knows all your needs” (selections from Matthew 6:25-32).

But, Jesus - don’t you see that we are in dreadful times? I sometimes feel like I’m losing my mind. We seem to be moments from chaos. There are rumors of food shortages. Families are divided by ideologies and opinions. It seems as if the world is falling apart. Protests and riots have become the norm. Injustice and discrimination is rampant. I’m not sure about taxes, but morale seems really low right now - and there is a whole lot of debt out there. Dishonesty, disloyalty, and dis-everything seems to be more of a character trait among leaders than integrity. And when it seems like the world needs leadership, we find ourselves in a vacuum. 

Jesus responds, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33).

You mean, you will give me everything I need to get through this dreadful day?

Jesus gently speaks, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34).

Perhaps surprisingly, Jesus doesn’t eliminate dread. Instead, Jesus gives us a better alternative than to fixate on our dread.

• Seek the things of God - His love, grace, mercy, humility, generosity, integrity, peace - above all else.
• Do the right thing, even when it’s difficult.
• Trust that Jesus gives you everything you need (and He does).

When our minds are consumed with dread, Jesus gives us everything we need to live with dread. Jesus lived through one of the most dreadful human experiences - not just abuse, being bullied, and humiliated - but crucified on a cross. Jesus experienced the worst: death. Jesus also comes back to life to tell us about it.

Indeed, we can find respite for our tired minds in Jesus’ words, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Here are some fantastic resources to help you get started!

• Parent Cue Mental Health Resources
• Maintaining Mental and Emotional Health Wellness in a Pandemic
• Manejando el miedo y la ansiedad durante una pandemia de salud

If you or somebody you know needs crisis assistance, please use one of the following resources:

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
• Crisis Connections: 866-4-CRISIS (866-427-4747)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746

One of the more influential people in my life is Dr. Dale Meyer, Emeritus President of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. While sitting in my “Holy Time Out” waiting for my CT scan, I read what “Dr. Dale” wrote on March 2, 2020 about the coronavirus:

“The virus can scare us because we don’t have control over it. Lack of control can lead to fear, and fear can lead to anger. Some blame China; others blame our government. In the blame-game anger is present. Anger comes when something we hold dear is threatened, in this case our lives and the lives of those close to us may be threatened. When we follow the news with spiritual eyes, we see human nature as it really is, as we really are apart from grace” (The Meyer Minute, March 2, 2020). You can read his entire devotion here.

On Monday, my idea of life has indeed been threatened - this time not by COVID-19, but by a small and painful calcified stone lodged in my cecum. How did it get there? Why is it there? What is its composition? Do I have “the c-word”? Everything at that moment (and still today as I write this), I couldn’t control.

As I waited for my name to be called, I reflected on some other life aspects that I couldn’t control.

These are a few things that scrambled through my mind.

• I’m seven months closer to seeing Jesus.
• Debates and the ongoing election process now occupy the majority of space in every one of my news feeds. 
• The elusive economy is as unpredictable as what Jonah will eat for breakfast.
• My mind races to process how best to love and serve such a diverse community that God has called me to serve and lead.
• My heart breaks as so many of us are flirting with pandemic burnout - a state of feeling gassed out, our schedules becoming maxed out, which leads us to check out.
• There are others, but this will suffice for now.

And as I sat there in the middle of a swirling world with a racing mind and broken heart, I started laughing to myself.

I was in God’s Holy Time Out. Just like a coach calls a time out to re-focus their team, a Holy Time Out is a way God huddles us together to bring focus to what He wants to do in us so that He can do something through us.

What did I do in my time out? I just sat there.

What did I see?

• Ambulances rolling in one after another with sick people who were loved by the same God who loves me.
• A few confused discharged patients waiting and wondering if their ride home would ever come.
• A woman who accidentally fell down the stairs and broke her ankle.
• Another woman sucker-punched by her (hopefully by now, former) boyfriend.
• A family struggling to check their daughter in because they spoke Spanish.
• Hospital workers responding to whatever situation presented itself.
• And so much more.

What did I learn in my Holy Time Out? It’s all out of my control.

I think about how the Hebrew people must have felt out of control in 586 BC. Babylon had conquered Jerusalem and taken everybody into a whole new world. And in the chaos, noise, and clutter of life, God calls a Holy Time Out. He sends Isaiah to get the attention of the Hebrew people saying, “But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Those words are true in my time out today as they were around 586 BC. And, they’re true for you today, too. 

When everything seems out of control, we’re in “time out”: God is in control. We have nothing to fear because God has redeemed us through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. God has called us by name. We are God’s.

Which means even when our life and world is spinning out of control, we continue to love and serve the people around us.

• So, I prayed for the unknown people being transported in on each ambulance.
• I asked God to give steady hands and a sharp mind to the rescue workers and medical teams.
• I sat for over an hour listening to stories from a scared Vietnam veteran wondering if his brother was going to pick him up.
• I laughed with a young woman share how she tripped over her own feet.
• I cried and encouraged the girl who was worried if her boyfriend was going to hit her again.
• I found Isaiah 43:1 in Spanish on my phone and shared it with the Spanish-speaking family in my "Gringo Spanish".
• And, as I left the ER that day, I told every nurse and tech I saw on my way out, "deep breath. God's got this and you do, too".

I don't share this to brag, but to share that perhaps God's Time Out was not just for me.

After all, I'm not in control.