Pastoral Ministry is an interesting adventure. Unless you have thick skin you should probably never undertake any leadership role in the Church. Any leader in the Church is always underneath a microscope no matter who they are. You are human like everyone else, but the expectation for you life is held up to a higher measure by all. Every word spoken, action taken, and ministry started will be criticized by a few or by many. Those in leadership roles are not perfect, but there is an expectation for you to be perfect by a few people in every congregation.While we cannot hide from criticism in leadership we can model Christ in greater ways when it happens to us. Most people in and outside of the Church let criticism cut them deeply and create a lasting wound. This is a choice and a mistake that many make. When we become hurt by criticism we need to assess a few things in that process.
- Who is the person criticizing me?
- Do they readily criticize others in the Church also?
- How involved are they in the Church?
- Did their criticism have validity in any way?
- Did they confront me in person or through a phone call (a person who does this usually has more character)?
- Did I deserve the criticism?
- Is there something that I need to personally work on?
It will take time to become a person who can assess the situation, but over time it will help you mature in greater ways. Learn to ask yourself some questions like the ones that I have listed before you ever respond in any way. By learning to accept it before you ever respond you will develop greater character and glorify God in greater ways by how you handle it. James 1:26 says "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." When you receive criticism that is unwarranted the best course of action is to listen to the words of James and give the matter over to God and let him sort it out. Even though someone is a Christian and you have tried to work through a matter with them does not always guarantee that it will always work out. Some Christians are just more mature than others. If you honor God's word He will honor you.
4 comments:
Your on it again. One of the hardest thing to do it deal with this. It is even more so when it is coming from those you thought cared, were on your side or you have put much time and energy into ministering to.
I have always tried to give it do thought and evaluation. I could be wrong. I ask that often. And guess what sometimes I am or have not made the right choice.
But a lot of time its just petty stuff. You have to either ignore it or handle it. It depends on how much poison the snake has. If its a garden snake no problem. If its a copperhead then it will kill you.
Thanks for your good words brother! All of us mess up......its how we deal with it that really matters the most.
The most frustrating aspect of the Christian life is when you think that you can move on and people don't or won't let past problems or issues go. Sometimes after everything else has failed you just have to give it to God and walk away for a season.
I even was criticized for this post. Life is always an adventure.
A mega church guy was telling us at a speaking engagement that he receieved an critic comment in some form or another everyday at the height of the churches growth.
Can you imagine everyday?
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