Central Plains Mennonite Conference
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Resources:
Discernment

Resources for Christian Discernment

Counsel Regarding Congregations at Variance
from the Fall 2012 Regional Meetings


Biblical and Communal Discernment Papers from Ervin Stutzman

These papers would be a great place to start for congregational leadership groups who want to practice good biblical and communal discernment.  They are short enough to be useful in many settings and give practical steps for discernment.

Discernment: What it is

Discernment: Necessary Components

Discernment: Practicing Discernment Together

Picture

Papers 

These papers are a bit longer and provide good handles for discussion of biblical discernment.

Becoming a United Church in a World of Division by David Boshart

Llegando a ser una Iglesia Unida en un Mundo dividido: Una visión bíblica de la Unidad Cristiana by David Boshart

The Rule of Christ in His Church: "Binding and Loosing" as Ethical Discernment in Matthew's Gospel by Kent McDougal

Biblical Roots, Interpretive Connections by Mathew Swora

Being A Faithful Church papers from Mennonite Church Canada

Recommended Books and Studies

Seeking God's Will Together: A Congregational Study on Biblical Discernment by Central Plains Mennonite Conference, 2014

​Discerning God's Will Together: Biblical Interpretation in the Free Church Tradition by Ervin R. Stutzman, Cascadia Publishing House, coming in May 2013.  This book invites congregations to learn communal forms of biblical interpretation through which to implement practices of discernment offering guidance amid today’s challenging ethical and theological riddles.  -–from the publisher

Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups by Ruth Haley Barton, IVP Books, 2012.  In these pages you will discover personal and group practices that will lead you into a new way of experiencing community and listening to God together.  -–from the publisher

Discerning God’s Will Together: A Spiritual Practice for the Church by Danny E. Morris and Charles M. Olsen, Alban Institute, 2012.  Bible study, research, and fieldwork merge in this book of practical principles for decision making by spiritual discernment. The step-by-step approach is interactive, spiritual, and rooted in faith practices and community.  -–from the publisher

Practicing Discernment Together: Finding God’s Way Forward in Decision Making by Lon Fendall, Jan Wood and Bruce Bishop, Barclay Press, 2007.  To discern is to hear and understand God's voice as articulated by the Holy Spirit, resident within us. Discernment is a necessary precondition for faithfulness to God's leadings. –book excerpts



Office Manager: P.O. Box 101, Freeman, SD 57029  office@centralplainsmc.org  phone: 605-929-3325
Ministry Staff Office: P.O. Box 352, Kalona, IA 52247
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Central Plains Structure
    • Staff >
      • Executive Conference Minister
      • Ministerial Leadership
      • Formation Minister
      • Hispanic Ministries
    • Map of Conference
    • Congregations >
      • Illinois
      • Iowa
      • Minnesota
      • Montana
      • Nebraska
      • South Dakota
      • Wisconsin
    • Board
    • Committees >
      • Christian Formation
      • Outreach and Service >
        • Church Planting
        • Peace and Justice Task Group
        • Practicing Offering and Receiving Hospitality
      • Pastoral Leadership
    • Partners in Mission >
      • Agape Peace Center
      • Philip Friesen
    • Camps & Schools
    • Who are the Mennonites?
  • CPMC at Work
    • MC USA Delegate Resources
    • Publications >
      • Scattered Seeds
      • The Sower
    • Events >
      • Annual Meeting 2022
      • Healthy Boundaries Training
      • Regional Meetings 2022 >
        • Regional Meeting Resources
    • CPMC Covenant
    • New Ministries Fund >
      • Reports of Past Grant Recipients
    • Counsel on variance
  • Congregational Leaders
    • Pastors
    • Elders & Deacons
    • Church Council
    • Support for Conflict >
      • Facilitation Services and Donations
    • Pastor Openings
  • Mission Leaders
    • Racism webinar videos
    • Ecuador/Venezuela Partnership >
      • Story of the Ecuador Partnership
      • Personnel and Partnership Members
      • Quito Property Fund
    • Church Planting >
      • Developing Congregations
    • Travel Like Dave
    • Missional Discipleship Initiative
    • Islam and the Gospel
  • Formation Leaders
    • Formation in Worship
    • Formation Resource Library
    • Children and Families >
      • Faith at Home
      • Curriculum for Children
      • Shine
      • Resources for Parents
      • Protecting Children
    • Youth >
      • Youth Sponsors
      • Youth Curriculum
      • Youth SS Teachers
      • Mentor Coordinator
      • CO Resources
      • Helpful sites for YM
    • Adults >
      • Adult Faith at Home
      • Adult Curriculum
      • Teaching resources
      • Adult Spirituality
    • Shalom Readers >
      • Book List
      • Shalom Readers Adult List
    • Curriculum Evaluation Tool
  • Resources
    • Anti Racism Resources
    • Bible study Webinars >
      • Bible Study Webinars 2016
      • Bible Study Webinars 2017
    • Conference Documents
    • Christian Discernment
    • En Espanol
    • Immigration
    • Mennonite Links
    • Spiritual Deliverance
  • Contact Us
    • Contact form
    • Church contact info form
    • Donate
    • COVID Relief
    • Discerning Future Leaders
    • Sunday Speaking Information Sheet