It Seems Good to Us and the Holy Spirit

Guiding any organization requires many, many choices. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is mandated to use Robert’s Rules of Order as its overall decision-making process. This model of decision-making, originally developed in the 1800s, faces challenges today. The PC(USA) also faces challenges as it seeks to be faithful in a vastly different cultural context than that for which Robert’s Rules of Order was designed. This dissertation explores ways of renewing Reformed and Presbyterian ways of making decisions so that they can participate in the mission of the Church to witness to Jesus Christ and make disciples. The dissertation presents a proposed definition of Reformed decision-making and a theological foundation for renewed Reformed decision-making. This results in some specific suggestions for Reformed decision-making in North American Presbyterianism, with a focus for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Overall, the goal is decision-making that serves the mission of God, with an emphasis on the trajectory of Presbyterianism from Geneva to the present. According to this what has been discovered in this study, Reformed decision-making is: A moderated process of seeking the will of God by involving the people of God and prayerfully engaging the Word of God, leading to discernment and the choice of a course of action. A theological foundation for Reformed decision-making means that Reformed decision-making will: 1) Seek God’s will through Scripture, 2) Develop flexible procedures that include the marginalized and demonstrate courage and hope, and 3) Occur in a covenant community marked by love and forgiveness, led by people focused on process. Specific reforms for the PC(USA) are offered, including raising the threshold from majority rules and requiring community formed around Scripture to be part of the decision-making process. When built upon the definition and foundation offered in this dissertation, the case is made that Reformed decision-making will be part of the diákrisis witness of the church, joining proclamation, service, and community in pointing to Jesus Christ.