In the past couple weeks, I've been directly insulted by a couple people with strong opinions. I don't doubt they know the power of their words, but with the displayed "I'm right - You're wrong" mentality, I'm not sure they even noticed what they were communicating.
At the same time, my response demonstrates that I'm a little slow. "This church only uses about 5% of it's capacity because of the ability of the leaders. Whenever I come here, I feel like I'm in a spiritual vacuum." I wasn't sure what I was hearing, so I asked, "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" It was a bad thing. The person continued, and thanked me for listening.
Someone else wanted questions answered before they would choose our church - they had never attended. They specifically wanted a reply from Mark Beeson, so I explained that Mark Beeson trusts those on his team to provide answers to challenging questions in a mannter consistent with our mission, vision, and values, and I hoped to do just that.
Here's what I received back after the second round. "The reason I kept asking for Pastor Beeson to answer my questions was designed to also reveal the availability of the senior pastor to the lay person in the congregation. Which I can now assume that he is not. I was also curious if this would be given over to any associate pastor to answer in the absence or unavailability of the senior pastor. It wasn't. I am left to conclude that if we were to attend this church the pastors do not seem approachable, which is important to us." God believes I'm worth the death of Jesus, but to this person, I am insufficient. The conclusion was that GCC would not fit the needs of their family. I agree.
I try to listen well to criticism because I don't want to miss any valid observations that might help us tell people how much they matter to God. The two people matter to God. They have value. My prayer is that God will keep us humble to hear what we need to hear and the wisdom to ignore what we need to ignore. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12
Wow! I feel your pain as you share this. While I did not completely follow the comments for the first person, the second comment is one that I relate to very well. The question I would ask the second person would be, "Why is it important that the person available to you in your moment of need is a PASTOR (or should I say carries the title of pastor)?" This shows an improper understanding of what the church really is.
Throughout scripture we encouraged to "one another" each other. Love one another, bear one another's burdens, and so on. God calls the body to care for each other and not limit it to a group of paid professionals. It is this type of expectation of pastors that keep most of them over-stressed and understudied in their ministries (in my opinion)
Jesus' most significant opposition came from those who thought they knew best how religion ought to work. It sounds like the same came be said for you in these situations...
Be encouraged! Don't let these hard-hearts distract you from the plenty of people whom God has given you to minister to.
Posted by: Paul T | March 08, 2009 at 09:47 PM
Kathy,
I brought a couple friend with me to the workshops on Thursday and Friday. Every time I come to Granger I am blown away by two things: the caliber of the volunteers...simply amazing and the availability of the staff. I've never been to seminars where the leaders make themselves so available...walking around on breaks and actually initiating engagement with people. I know this is not about Sunday morning, but from what I have experienced, I'd attend Granger in a heartbeat. The fact that people matter is obvious everywhere. Keep up the great work, and thanks for what you shared in Mark's session on Friday.
Posted by: Dennis | March 08, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Kathy, you all are doing some great work there at GCC and I have great respect for your team. I have had some similar experiences here at CCV. I am regularly amazed how some people can claim to be followers of Christ but act in such hurtful ways. My hope is that through these type of conversations, and helping these negative people move on, that I am protecting others. Especially those that are far from God.
Posted by: Frank Chiapperino | March 09, 2009 at 01:52 AM
Kathy,
It seems that these are more examples of those that think they are the only ones that matter...and the pastor/church needs to bow to their needs. Those who have been at GCC for any length of time KNOW that all people do matter to GOD and ALL of GCC's staff...but pleasing people is not the primary mission of ANY church of Christ followers. I think back to Mark's message on the "I Chair". If they want to be "personally" served by the pastor, there are many good small churches out there.
Dan
Posted by: Dan Clark | March 09, 2009 at 11:27 AM
I agree on all the comments thus far. I will add that the scriptures mention that pastors (leaders) are to equip others.
Ephesians 4:11 - 13: Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Maybe the one that wanted to by pass you and others on the staff did not 'get this'?
Thank you Kathy for all that you do. I appreciate no more then ever before the abilities of the staff at GCC. I don't find the pastors at GCC unapproachable at all. Actually, since being here I find them more so then any of the smaller churches that I have attended. Shocking, eh? I love this church!
Posted by: Ruth Hunt | March 15, 2009 at 07:52 AM