I've been doing more study on the constant critic(s) that every church leader deals with. Its amazing how a steady group of 2-5 critics can really tax a leader's health and impact them way beyond their numbers. ie, more than 3 feels like 'legion' to a leader.
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All vocations face criticism of course.
I wonder if church criticism is unique because:
a) church leaders tend to conflate personal identity and church health more than most.
b) critics falsely think they know about leading a church because they attend a church.
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I wonder if church criticism is unique because:
a) church leaders tend to conflate personal identity and church health more than most.
b) critics falsely think they know about leading a church because they attend a church.
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For example, doctors and teachers face criticism. People come into a Doc with diagnosis from Internet etc. But I wonder if attending and serving in a church makes someone more confident that they know when they really don't know.
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I've often marveled, and been hurt by how strongly someone has an opinion about something they've had zero training in. They are oblivious to how broad a church is - they think everyone thinks the same.
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One reason they think this is because their phantom mob is usually made up of like minded people. A handful of passionate people agreeing, so they say, 'everyone thinks' but actually it is less than 1% of the church.
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Criticism stings all of us. I am learning more and more what it is like to be an HSP. I take things so personally and have to work on it. It comes in waves.
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Our culture is generating so much anxiety now days and people need to dump it on someone.
In this season you might be running on fumes, but the criticism is coming sharper than usual. It's a double hit.
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In this season you might be running on fumes, but the criticism is coming sharper than usual. It's a double hit.
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We have to be so kind to ourselves, leaders. And we have to avail ourselves of the love of our Good, Good, Father.
Work to balance the criticism with the ever present goodness of God.
What gifts has God given you today that you can receive and enjoy?
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Work to balance the criticism with the ever present goodness of God.
What gifts has God given you today that you can receive and enjoy?
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I'm not talking spiritual gifts where you're the conduit. I am talking gifts for you to receive as God's beloved child?
Who has God put in your life? What activities? What places?
You can make time today.
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Who has God put in your life? What activities? What places?
You can make time today.
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Soul health has always been important, but never as much as now, in my opinion.
I'll keep banging this drum: 2020 didn't create the condition of your soul, it revealed it.
And that can be a gift, not a threat. Certainly not an accusation.
2021 really can be different.
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I'll keep banging this drum: 2020 didn't create the condition of your soul, it revealed it.
And that can be a gift, not a threat. Certainly not an accusation.
2021 really can be different.
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But it won't be different if you face 2021 with nothing more than 'try harder' and 'more of the same.'
You can make a vow now, leader, to dig deeper into soul health in 2021. You can do this by taking more:
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You can make a vow now, leader, to dig deeper into soul health in 2021. You can do this by taking more:
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Time. Intentionality. Life giving friendships. Life giving activities. Money.
Most of us know what is soul fueling for us, we just struggle to commit the resources.
You are worth committing the resources.
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Most of us know what is soul fueling for us, we just struggle to commit the resources.
You are worth committing the resources.
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You will still face criticism in 2021. Same external forces at work. Internal fortitude is worth the work.
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