They agreed that this was the best way. In the first half year of their new structure, they have done remarkably well. Epiphany began public worship in February, 1990. Woodland United Methodist Church in MN used Morris' book and other materials to learn the discernment-consensus building model a couple of years ago. The process has been helpful as they begin to revision an eighty year old congregation.
People seem less threatened as they participate in the discernment process.
Arvada Presbyterian in Arvada Colorado is working toward consensus building and discernment. They have been using discernment models from Chuck Olsen book Transforming Church Boards and more recently Discerning the Will of God by Chuck and Danny Morris. We define the issue and ask each member of our 24 member session to pray and to begin to think of Biblical material that relates to the issue. We then agree that we will be in consensus before we take any action. And that we are willing to let go of our own personal desires and seek the will of God.