Charity Ah Loo
MGMT 3304
August 9, 2014
Written Assignment #4 – p. 203 Discussion Question #9
How can the Christian manager avoid decision-making hubris while at the same time be an
encouragement to the stakeholders who must be relied on to vigorously support the
decision?
“It’s not about you.” These are the first words author and pastor Rick Warren uses to
open his book, The Purpose Driven Life. These same words are also relevant to the Christian
manager. Decisions should be made with a broader perspective than oneself. Good decisions
are rarely made in a silo from a single perspective with limited information. The Christian
manager should avoid decision-making hubris while at the same time be an encouragement to
stakeholders by processing decisions through the lens of his or her understanding of what the
Bible teaches while considering all relevant information regarding the situation from different
stakeholders.
To make decisions according to one’s understanding of the Bible requires that the
Christian manager be familiar with the Scriptures and God’s will as it is revealed there. The first
step in Gary Meadors model for decision-making is to see if the decision is covered by a clear
command in Scripture. The Ten Commandments, the Epistles of Paul, and the words of Jesus as
recorded in the Bible provide clear guidance and direction on how we as Christians are to live,
act, and interact with each other. Of course, not all management situations are clearly outlined
in the Bible but that doesn’t mean that the Bible does not have guidance. Managers should also
develop an understating God’s will in the Bible through how He used people and varying
situations. Ultimately, it is the Christian manager’s responsibility to make decisions in
alignment with his Christian worldview which should be aligned with Scripture.
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Charity Ah Loo
MGMT 3304
August 9, 2014
Beyond those decisions where God’s will is clearly defined in the Bible, the Christian
manager should also consider all information relevant to the situation from a variety of
stakeholders. This includes detailed knowledge of the situation, obligations to different
individuals and organizations, as well as legal and regulatory requirements. In some cases, a
manager should also seek counsel from experienced leaders or members of the faith community.
It is important not to compromise one’s Christian worldview. By making the effort to hear from
different stakeholders, these stakeholders find encouragement by participating in the decisionmaking process and not simply left to carry out the final decision. This also ensures that any
decision made is based on more than the manager’s wants and desires but on facts and
information gathered from multiple sources.
By looking at decisions consistently through the lens of a biblical world view and taking
into consideration all relevant information, the Christian manager avoids decision-making hubris
and stakeholders are encouraged as participants in the process.
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