Sifting our discerning: assessing the discernment methods of Danny Morris and Charles Olsen

Sifting our discerning: assessing the discernment methods of Danny Morris and Charles Olsen

David Ralph Chotka

This thesis project concerns the decision-making processes of churches in conversion with biblical material for processes of communal discernment methods developed by Danny Morris and Charles "Chuck" Olsen, a process used by many to sift and obey what God is directing. To weigh its allegiance to Scripture and its effectiveness in current practice, this study overviews what is currently happening in church decision-making, and analyses how decisions were taken "by discernment" in Scripture. It also examines discernment in church history. Case-study interviews and a field study examination of the Morris/Olsen method are included. The thesis ends with a synthesis of biblical/practical research, and contains recommendations for future action to move God's people toward Scriptural processes of decision-making.

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

English

2013

293