Monday, September 24, 2007

Emotions

a Jesus thought...
If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20)

a Godly thought...
People have an instinctive sense that faith in a loving God should make us loving people who take the lead in any initiative to alleviate human suffering and need. (p41 Yuill)

a leading thought...
Give the world the best you have and you may get hurt. Give the world your best anyway. (Mother Teresa)

a Dave thought...
This interesting commentary in the Age this morning got my attention...

The federal election will be won or lost on less rational grounds than good arguments or policies.
HERE'S my prediction. The Coalition will lose the next federal election. Not because Labor offers better arguments or more appealing policies. Not because the electorate is impressed by Kevin Rudd's intellect or wit. Not because "It's Time" or because John Howard is seen as yesterday's man. The Coalition will lose because of the way the human brain works.
Backed by research in neuroscience, political psychologists argue that the thought processes behind decision-making — including how we vote at elections — are fundamentally emotional, not rational.

Unfortunately most decisions around the church are also made emotionally rather than rationally. I have sat on numerous boards and in many committee meetings and a decision has been made wrapped up in far more emotion than logic. Even our modern church services usually begin with the first half for the emotionals (singing) and the second half for the intellectuals (preaching).
God created us as emotional beings but he also gave us a brain. I believe the church attracts far more emotional people than it does rational, so as we continue to love God & others there will always be a bias for emotional leaders as they are best at showing love in a public way. So the challenge is to not to suppress emotion in the church but rather lets make sure it does not get in the way of our decision making so we can grow God's kingdom effectively.

Just a thought.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dave, it's ok for you 'T's. It's much hard for us 'F's. Limo

Anonymous said...

It is an unfortunate reality that many decisions are made within the church organisation based upon emotions. i.e. because I like this person I will approve their proposal (even if it is a really bad idea) or because I dont like this person I wont back their idea (even if it has real kingdom value) experienced it and had to give up a fruitful ministry because of it and it is shameful that a few people in power hold so much power that enable them to work like this.