Loading ...My First Criticism
I got to hear my first real criticism about my performance as the minister of the Castle Rock church of Christ this morning. I had a great breakfast with a friend from the congregation that is passionate about ministry in the congregation. He is a superstar in the congregational team. But he told me that he heard some talk that about me recently. I invite criticism as I see myself as a leader and want people to feel comfortable expressing their hearts to me. If I have done things wrong, I want people to tell me in a spirit of love. So my friend told me that people are saying that I praise the elders too much and the elders praise me too much in public. We are always building each other up before the congregation. I told my friend that I will never change this! I refuse to criticize my elders in a public way, especially from the pulpit. Imagine the damage in a congregation if elders criticized the preacher and if the preacher criticized the elders. I will not change this. And I will not apologize that I have a deep love and respect, that I admire my elders, and that I have a strong friendship with them. Every where I have been, I have loved my elders and feel that my elders have loved me. So yes, I will continue to edify my elders, I will continue to praise them in public, and yes I will continue to love them through my words to others. I am a minister that will stand where my elders stand as long as they stand with God.
Related posts:
- Skills for Criticism
- Rules to Handle Criticism
- Criticism: The Difference Maker
- Leave the Instrument Alone
- Breaking of a Leader’s Heart
About The Author
You and the elders are absolutely right not to criticize each other from the pulpit. To do so would only foster division and eventualy polarization within the church between those who stand behind the elders and those who stand behind the preacher and/or ministers. Churches need to be behind their leadership not divided between their leaders. There is a place and time for each of you to raise concerns and voice criticisms of each other, if such should arise, and a public forum before the congregation IS NEVER the place for such.
Thank you for your wisdom in this matter.
Grace and peace,
Rex
I agree with Rex–building up is always the best policy–especially publicly from the pulpit. These men give of themselves and oftentimes will receive criticism in return. Who knows but that your praise publicly is exactly what they need to hear after a difficult week of shepherding.
Matthew
It is great that you publicly praise each other. The fact that they complain you do it too much makes me wonder if they feel the praise is deserved. If so, what are they dissatisfied about that leads them to not be happy about this? Are they jealous that they are not being praised like the elders are? If so, then they have issues.
Keep up the good work!
I think it’s great that you praise ones who need praised, whether elders, deacons, ladies’ class, etc., as long as they stand for the truth. Keep up the good work!
My father (Murray Marshall) has held many Gospel Meetings over the years in Nova Scotia. My husband and I had the privilege to visit in Kentville, Halifax and Mill Village in 1984 and my husband preached for the Mill Village church in a Gospel Meeting. Sadly they are no longer standing for truth.
I know Murray, I met him some years ago, a wonderful man. I never been to Mill Village, but certainly heard of the church there. I do plan to be back in NS in July and preach in Kentville. Thank you for connecting with me.
So, you invite criticism, even encourage it, and your first response is to flatly say, “I will never change this.” Maybe, “how could I praise them so that those who do not like it are less uncomfortable?” Maybe it is hard for them to hear public praise as anything more than … well, public praise. Once again the ministry in our brotherhood confuses being right with being righteous.
I once knew a preachers wife who constantly criticized the elders and deacons publicly.
She once criticized one of our elders in LBC say she did not know how he got to be an attorney because he is not very smart. She then went on to harass one our deacons over mowing the lawn.
I really appreciate your attitude and would like to use this article in the future.