S.W.S.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people living outside of God’s Word want to give counsel. Maybe it’s a natural tendency we have to want to give advice but a lot of counsel given has no scriptural foundation.  We had an elder’s summit this last weekend and a friend of mine, Steve Altmeyer, suggested that we start implementing something he called “S.W.S.”

Oftentimes, as church leaders, we make decisions that affect our church family.  God’s Word teaches us that, “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” Proverbs 15:22 (KJV)  We need to seek and consider good counsel when we are faced with decisions that will affect Christ’s body.  But we also need to ensure that the counsel we receive is from the Word of God and not the wisdom of men.  Steve’s challenge is for us to say, “S.W.S.” when we are given information to consider when making decisions.  What does S.W.S. stand for?  S.- Support, W.-with, S.-Scripture.  Our first core value is that God’s Word is our final authority and when we’re making decisions it’s important that we S.W.S. the decisions we make.

How about you?  Are the decisions you make Scripture based or are you relying on the wisdom of man?  My hope is that you too will start ‘supporting with Scripture’ the things you are saying and challenge others to S.W.S. the things they’re saying to you.

God Bless you,

Pastor Jim