{"id":742566,"date":"2021-04-28T05:00:27","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T10:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/churchanswers.com\/?p=742566"},"modified":"2021-04-25T21:16:25","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T02:16:25","slug":"three-ways-pastors-win-over-influential-critics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/churchanswers.com\/blog\/three-ways-pastors-win-over-influential-critics\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Ways Pastors Win Over Influential Critics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three Ways Pastors Win Over Influential Critics<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every pastor has critics. It\u2019s an inevitable part of leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some criticism is constructive. Even when it\u2019s not constructive, you can almost always learn something. Other criticism is just a visceral reaction. A personal attack was not intended; someone just said something in the heat of the moment. Some criticism is malicious and sinful. Other times, people are using criticism in a self-serving way.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t want to expend the energy to filter criticism appropriately, then you shouldn\u2019t lead a church. But the point still stands. Criticism hurts.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, consider if the critic is <\/span>influential<\/span><\/i>. All barbs sting regardless of the source. However, there is a difference between the random, uninformed critic\u2014especially those from outside the church\u2014and the critic with considerable influence in the church. It\u2019s important to be aware of the number of critics. Having fifty ongoing critics in a church of seventy-five people is a disaster. But it\u2019s often not the number of critics that is paramount. Rather, it\u2019s the influence they hold. In some churches, one person holds the trump card. In others, gaining five influencers means you’ve got all the support you need.<\/span><\/p>\n

Second, take into account whether or not the critic is <\/span>ongoing<\/span><\/i>. Even your best supporters will become critics for a season\u2014depending on the type of decision that needs to be made. Just because someone is criticizing you about a <\/span>specific <\/span><\/i>leadership move does not mean he or she is a critic <\/span>in general<\/span><\/i>. Use a level of discernment. The only way you\u2019ll always have the support of everyone is to fill your church with robots or clones of yourself. A church full of yes-men robots is creepy. And I\u2019m not even sure my clones would always agree with me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Winning over your <\/span>ongoing<\/span><\/i> influential<\/span><\/i> critics is vital to successful church leadership. While it can\u2019t always be done, I believe you can win over the vast majority of them. If you lack the support of key influencers, here are a few items to consider.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Get to know your critic<\/b>. Have you sat down together over a meal? Be a friend. Minister selflessly. Win them with your sacrifice rather than berating them with your vision. Pastors lead, which means you must take the initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Win over the critic\u2019s friends<\/b>. If getting to know your critic doesn\u2019t work, then reach out to friends in his or her circles. Try to gain perspective by hearing from them. If you win over the critic\u2019s friends, then they will have influence over the critic. At a minimum, the criticism will be softened if the critic\u2019s friends are talking positively.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Serve the critic\u2019s family<\/b>. Your service in the church should not depend on the support someone gives you. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples while knowing of their coming betrayal. You shouldn\u2019t favor big givers. You shouldn\u2019t favor big supporters. If you can\u2019t serve the critic directly, serve the family. This kind of sacrifice is one of the most difficult parts of being a pastor. It\u2019s human nature to gravitate towards those who give you the most accolades. However, it\u2019s just as important to serve those who give you the most trouble.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Obviously, you are not called to be a doormat. Nor should a church condone sin. There are times when critics need to be disciplined. Unfortunately, critics can also be gossips, which is quite dangerous in the church. But not all critics are whispering untruths behind your back. In some cases, they simply love their church and don\u2019t like the direction of your leadership. In these cases, the critic is simply one who doesn\u2019t offer support. You should make it your goal to win them over, not run them over. Your church will be better for it. And you\u2019ll be a better example of Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you looking for a safe place to discuss topics like this one? At Church Answers, our subscription service gives you access to Central, our community of 2,000 church leaders. Every day, people ask questions in Central. The community and team of experts respond immediately. Starting at $9.97 a month, you can get your church questions answered in a safe place.<\/span><\/i> Click here to get started<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Three Ways Pastors Win Over Influential Critics\u00a0 Every pastor has critics. It\u2019s an inevitable part of leadership. Some criticism is constructive. Even when it\u2019s not constructive, you can almost always learn something. Other criticism is just a visceral reaction. 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