In today’s media-saturated world, it is easy to overlook any book, movie or TV show. So, while the film, Courageous, grossed $34.5 million in theaters and hit #1 in DVD sales its first week of release, there are still masses who have yet to watch this incredible movie.

Many will still get the opportunity. Churches are sponsoring special viewings and giving away DVDs to thank police officers for their service. Case in point: First Baptist Church of Orlando, which purchased 2,000 copies—enough for every officer in the city.

Produced by Sherwood Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia, the movie’s impact on fathers and families won’t be fully revealed for years. I came away from my viewing inspired and convicted. The Sherwood team did a fantastic job of portraying those things that really matter in life.

It is worth noting a particular aspect of the movie as it relates to church leadership and the need for decisiveness. My reflection originates with the question that resounds in the last scene: "Who will take a stand?"

Indeed that is the question for leaders today.

The courage of decisiveness

One of the outstanding resources released in conjunction with the movie is the book, Courageous Living, written by Sherwood’s senior pastor, Michael Catt. In it, he tells the story of Ed Freeman, a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. Freeman flew into enemy fire 13 times to rescue 30 wounded warriors who would have otherwise died. He would later receive the Medal of Honor for his incredible acts of courage.

You see, Ed Freeman did not have to be the smartest person to know what he needed to do. He did not have to have the most strategic mind or the greatest leadership skills. He did not have to possess the most elite academic credentials.

He had to have the courage to act.

The power of decisiveness

Many leaders fail simply because they refuse to make a decision. Insisting on more and more information, they fall prey to analysis paralysis. Others will not act because they fear failure. Ironically, they experience failure because of failing to reach a decision.

During our nation’s last budget crisis, millions of people grew angry and frustrated with our president and congressional leaders. They were looking for leadership and decisiveness, not partisan gridlock while their leaders played the "blame game."

Though it is certainly possible to act too quickly and make a decision without grasping basic facts, most leaders do not have this problem.

Many leaders fail because they do not make decisions when decisions must be made. There is power in decisiveness.

Our organizations, our families, and even our nation are pleading for those who will have the courage to act. That is the power of decisiveness.

The path of decisiveness

How then, do we become more decisive leaders? May I suggest three initial steps?

First, pray for courage. The decisions we must make will not likely be as dramatic as those of Ed Freeman, who decided to risk his life multiple times to rescue his wounded comrades. But our decisions do have impact on people and the organizations we serve. We cannot be frozen into inaction; we must be decisive.

Second, get the minimal facts necessary to make a decision, but be willing to act without all the information you would like to have. Delays in decisiveness can cripple an organization. On the battlefield, they can result in loss of lives.

Finally, be willing to live with imperfection. You will not make perfect decisions. But you can be assured of failure if you are unwilling to make courageous decisions.

The example of decisiveness

The main character in Courageous is a police officer named Adam Mitchell. Various plots and subplots revolve around him, his job, and his family. Ultimately, he realizes that many people depend on him to be willing to reach even tough decisions. In one of the more poignant scenes, Mitchell says bluntly, "I’m accepting the fact that I need to learn to do the hard things."

So he seeks courage from the Lord.

So he gets the basic facts he needs to make decisions.

And so he decides.

God give us leaders who will demonstrate your courage.

God give us leaders who will take a stand.

And God please give us leaders who are willing to make courageous decisions.

---

Thomas Rainer is the president and CEO LifeWay Christian Resources. He is also a former pastor, seminary dean, and leader of a church and denominational consulting firm. Rainer is the author or co-author of nearly two dozen books.