Yesterday I was walking across the property of a friend who had given me permission to look for ginseng on her land. Her dogs didn’t know that I had their master’s blessing, so they barked incessantly at me. I just ignored them and walked on.

Sometimes church leaders have to listen to some barking from individuals who don’t realize that their Master has given the leaders permission to oversee the church. While it may be prudent to do some listening, in the end the leaders should proceed with their God-given business of guiding the church by making the most important decisions facing the congregation.

 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”—Acts 20:28.

A wise old deacon once advised the elders of his church, “Don’t ask anyone for permission to do what God has already given you permission to do.”