Two Types of Decisions
Jeff Bezos distinguishes two types of decisions that leaders face. “One-way doors” are consequential and irreversible and require slow and careful consideration. On the other hand, most decisions are “two-way doors,” which, if things do not work out, you can regroup without great harm. Leaders may need to speed up the two-door decisions while slowing down the one-way door decisions.
So, a question to ask of each decision: Is this a one-way door decision or a two-way door decision?
All of us in the Global Methodist Church and the West Plains Conference have stepped through a “one-way” door. Leaving the United Methodist church was a decision we cannot step back through. Whether as a church disaffiliating or as clergy withdrawing our membership, there is no going back. The decision is final and we must move forward.
Now there are many “two-way” doors ahead of us. The West Plains conference has chosen several and we are continuing to work through the consequences knowing, we can always step back if needed. Churches as well have those decisions. The biggest is what is going to be different now that we have taken the big “one-way” step of disaffiliation and joining the GMC.
One of the biggest is to embrace and live out the mission of the Global Methodist Church: to make disciples of Jesus who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly. Most of us really paid lip service to the UMC’s mission. Now we desire to step through this “two-way” door into a mission broad enough to have various strategies, yet specific enough to challenge us to do things differently and not pay lip service to it.
Another two-way door relates to mission funding. Since the West Plains conference is not funding missions or ministries, it is the responsibility of the local church to support and fund them. We feel the local church has the ability to be in ministry and mission in greater ways than the conference or denomination (movement). So churches are encouraged to support, fund, vet, and hold accountable those missions they support. We anticipate great results and wonderful Kingdom work being accomplished because the local church is solely involved.
How we do discipleship is another two-way door decision. Today’s disciples are seeking something deeper, more transformative, and connectional. The GMC desires to revive Wesley’s classes and bands as the best form of disciple-making. This is something the old Sunday School system now doesn’t really do. Today there is a desire to “do life together.” Hold each other gently accountable to grow spiritually. We can support, love, encourage each other as fellow disciples who are working out their salvation with fear and trembling.
Here are two questions to ponder:
Which two-way door do you need to step through today?
Which two-way door does your church need to step through this year?
-Darren Skinner
