I am learning that in many situations it is best to say little or nothing at all because many of your most critical critics have already made up their minds.
It is not uncommon for pastors to find themselves in "lose-lose situations" (humanly speaking). I am thinking of those contexts where if your pastor says nothing at all people will assume that the things his critics have stated are true and will likely pull away and/or leave the church. If your church leaders prepare a fact-filled response these same people will accuse them of sharing too much information or of being proud and defensive. In situations like this what is a pastor to do? Read 2 Corinthians if you need help understanding what it is I am trying to highlight here.
Many of the strongest and most critical prejudices formed against Word-driven pastors are commonly based on what someone has told someone else ("hearsay").
"Did you hear what Minister Jones did to poor so and so?" "No, I did not." "I cannot believe they would ever do/say such a thing. What kind of 'authoritarian dictator' is leading this church?" "Can you believe they are going to remove so and so from the church simply because she was having an affair and won't give up her lover?" "Who does he think he is prying into people's private affairs?" "If anyone is without sin let him cast the first stone, etc, etc."
My Dear Sir,
Many of the strongest and most critical prejudices formed against Word-driven pastors are commonly based on what someone has told someone else ("hearsay").
"Did you hear what Minister Jones did to poor so and so?" "No, I did not." "I cannot believe they would ever do/say such a thing. What kind of 'authoritarian dictator' is leading this church?" "Can you believe they are going to remove so and so from the church simply because she was having an affair and won't give up her lover?" "Who does he think he is prying into people's private affairs?" "If anyone is without sin let him cast the first stone, etc, etc."
In my early years of church revitilization ministry I expended far too much energy preparing "thoughtful rebuttals" for internal critics and for my "pretended friends" only to discover time and time again that the jury had already reached their verdict. Facts and context mean very little to this kind of person. Sometimes it is best to just give the entire matter over to the Lord in prayer and to let the chips fall where they may (as painful as that often is).
To make things even more challenging, when disgruntled members leave the fold it is not uncommon for them to try and bring down the house on those who remain, like Samson in Judges 16. I could go into much greater detail here but I think you catch my drift.
How should pastors respond when they come under fire by pretended friend or outspoken foe? Some well known ministers have gone on record saying they "never defend themselves." "I defend the message but never the messenger," they say. "Let God take care of your reputation."
Many pastors who make bold statements like this are fortunate enough to be surrounded by loyal, truth loving, "mighty men" like King David had in 2 Samuel 23. Picture in your minds spiritual secret service agents. Those who on their own initiative, in the fullness of the Spirit, defend the Christian integrity of their shepherd when he comes under fleshly fire. The apostle Paul longed for such support in Corinth; (note my sermon exposition of 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11). In a best case scenario a faithful pastor will not even have to answer baseless charges because a loyal band of brothers have already stepped up and eliminated the leaven before it takes root and disrupts the entire flock of God.
Now if what I am speaking about here is completely foreign to you brother shepherd than count your blessings and earnestly pray for those men who are seeking to "hold the line" in difficult revitalization contexts.
I am in no way advocating "blind loyalty" as such behavior is dangerous and is unbiblical. I am speaking here of "biblical loyalty." I'm talking about a true friend, who like Jonathan, "sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). I am describing laymen who understand how divisive and destructive slander and gossip is. I am highlighting those who realize that a good reputation is more valuable to a man of God than great riches (Proverbs 22:1). I am thinking of mighty men like Phil Johnson (John MacArthur's right hand brother) and Tom Gibson (Steve Lawson's right hand man). Men like this would rather take a bullet in their own back then witness their lead shepherd get blindsided like Abraham Lincoln. Perhaps I am even speaking of you Christian reader? May your tribe increase.
Now if what I am speaking about here is completely foreign to you brother shepherd than count your blessings and earnestly pray for those men who are seeking to "hold the line" in difficult revitalization contexts.
I am in no way advocating "blind loyalty" as such behavior is dangerous and is unbiblical. I am speaking here of "biblical loyalty." I'm talking about a true friend, who like Jonathan, "sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). I am describing laymen who understand how divisive and destructive slander and gossip is. I am highlighting those who realize that a good reputation is more valuable to a man of God than great riches (Proverbs 22:1). I am thinking of mighty men like Phil Johnson (John MacArthur's right hand brother) and Tom Gibson (Steve Lawson's right hand man). Men like this would rather take a bullet in their own back then witness their lead shepherd get blindsided like Abraham Lincoln. Perhaps I am even speaking of you Christian reader? May your tribe increase.
Having said all this, sometimes it's necessary for a pastor to take up his own pen in order to explain himself or defend certain actions or words that have been called into question (again note the apostle Paul's testimony in 2 Corinthians).
One such example of this in church history is presented in Spurgeon's authorized biography, The Full Harvest, pp 135-137. In this note Pastor Spurgeon very reluctantly defends himself against a vocal "Christian critic." Notice how the prince of preachers approaches this sensitive matter; (in the interest of time and space I have slightly abridged Spurgeon's lengthy defense).
One such example of this in church history is presented in Spurgeon's authorized biography, The Full Harvest, pp 135-137. In this note Pastor Spurgeon very reluctantly defends himself against a vocal "Christian critic." Notice how the prince of preachers approaches this sensitive matter; (in the interest of time and space I have slightly abridged Spurgeon's lengthy defense).
My Dear Sir,
I have been dumb under the cruel rebukes of my enemies, and the ungenerous reproofs of pretended friends. I have proved hitherto the power of silence, and although most bitterly tempted, I shall not change my custom, or venture a syllable in order to stay these mad ravings. But your brotherly note deserve one or two words of answer.
1. Have I well weighed what I have done in the matter of these lectures? Aye-- and so weighed it that neither earth nor hell can now move me from my course. I have a life work to perform, and towards its completion, through evil report and good report, I speed my way.
2. You imagine that my aim is merely to amuse, and you then speak very properly of "stooping." Indeed, if I had no higher or nobler aim in view, it would be stooping with sorrowful emphasis; but, then, think you that the devil would care to roar at me? Why, surely, it would be his best policy to encourage me in forsaking my calling, and degrading my ministry!
3. "Is the Master's eye regarding His servant with pleasure?" Yes, I solemnly feel that it is; nor am I conscious of any act, or motive, the common infirmity of man excepted, which could cause me to incur Divine displeasure in connection with that which is, to me, the work of my life.
4. With regard to laughter- you and I may differ in this matter, and neither of us be quite infallible in our judgment. To me, a smile is no sin, and a laugh no crime. The Savior, the Man of sorrows, is our example of morality, but not of misery, for He bore our griefs, that we might not bear them; and I am not John the Baptist, nor a monk, nor hermit, nor an ascetic, either in theory or in practice. Unhallowed mirth I hate, but I can and do enjoy my Father's works, and the wonders of creation, none the less, but all the more, because I am a Christian. At any rate, I hold my own views, upon this point; and during eleven years of ministry, I have seen no ill effect, but very much good from my preaching, although the charge has always been laid at my door that I sometimes provoke the risible faculties,
5. Concerning "sowing to the flesh," I have not done so in these lecture, but have rendered honest and hearty service to my Lord, and believe that spirtual fruit has already been reaped.
6. As to grief of friends, let them, as well as myself, be ready to bear the cross, and let them not attempt to evade reproach by weeping where no tears are needed. I have given no cause to the enemy to blaspheme, or only such blessed cause as shall be renewed with greater vigor than ever.
And now for the explanation... (Spurgeon goes on for two or three lengthy paragraphs here, see the Full Harvest, pp 135-37)... But, lo! to our utter amazement, one morning we discovered that the lecture was considered vulgar, coarse, and I know not what. The gentlemen of the press had nothing else just then to do, so they said, "Let us abuse Spurgeon, no matter whether he deserves it or not." ....
...O my brother, you do ill to judge a servant of the Lord from the lips of his foes, and one, too, who has had abuse enough on former occassions without having given cause of offence, which renders it inexcusable that brethren should believe reports concerning him!" . ..
... Time and eternity will clear the character of the one what has given up his good name to His Master, without reserve.
Yours wearily,
C.H. Spurgeon
C.H. Spurgeon
P.S. -- Get the "gorilla" lecture, read it, and see if there be any evil in it; yet it is the least religious of them all.-- C.H.S.
What you need to know about the author and this blog.
What you need to know about the author and this blog.
