What is God Calling You to Do?: Discerning a Plan for Your Congregation

Welcome to the process of discernment. We assume that since you are reading this book, your congregation has decided to enter into the discernment process.

When we speak of discernment we mean seeking the will of God in our own lives and in the lives of our congregations, and then setting goals for fulfilling that call to ministry. As you will see in the pages to follow, discernment is a process that takes planning on the part of some so that the larger group is free to experience the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Although applicable to any church in the Reformed tradition, the discernment process outlined in this book has been developed to help congregations of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church listen to how God is answering the question “What is our call to ministry to be at this time in our church’s life?”

The goal of this book and its plan outline is to strengthen congregations. This strength will come through seeking the will of God and assisting and enabling members of congregations to work in partnership toward the goals they discover through this process.