Business Management in the Local Church Book

Am not sure who wrote which chapters, but the style of many important chapters in this book clearly resembles that of packer. In fact, the whole book is aligned to the direction set for us in his Knowing God.

The end of all christian knowledge while we are still on this earth will eventually lead to this question: Given all these knowledge, how do we make the right decisions in life?

As in real life.

Packer (shall use only one name though he is the co-author) first assures us that we dun necessarily make the right decisions always. Beginning from psalm 23, he reminds us that we are like sheep, easily confused, sometimes too impetuous, and other times too slow. But no matter what, we rest in the assurance that our Lord will guide us along even as we learn along the way.

Chapter 2 then go on to untangled some "tangled tales" - mistaken myths of reading God's will and calling, before going into the true foundation for all christian decision-making, the wisdom as revealed in the Word of God, in chapters 3-5. These are chapters that need to be scrutinised in detail even as we examine our spiritual health.

Chapter 6 and 7 then turn to two other avenues - the advice of godly friends and examples set by godly leaders (and of course Jesus Himself). Chapter 8 and 9 apply the principles learnt in real life: our choice of job and situation ethics.

But having said all, the last chapter is still the most insightful as it warns against the dangers of two possible extremes: of being super-spiritual on the one hand and sub-spiritual on the other. By being super-spiritual, we tend to (1) undervalue God's gift of reason; (2) overvalue the grace of patiently waiting; and (3) we "program" the Holy Spirit, ie. "limiting His freedom by specifying in advance what we expect Him to do and then waiting for Him to do it." And of course by being sub-spiritual, we tend to act otherwise. Packer calls for a good balance between the two.

In short, christian decision-making should be based on foundation laid by the constant study of, and reference to God's Word and by prayers, godly fellowship and also by allowing God to lead us through our faculties and by His Spirit.