Redemption Ministry is devoted to helping wounded and hurting ministers. My experience is that there are many ministers that find themselves in difficult situations that are not primarily their fault. Sometimes ministers find themselves in perpetually conflicted congregations, and get beat up. By and large most ministers are men who love God, Jesus, and the congregation. BUT…
It has been my experience that there are a few bad apples in the barrel. Some ministers that get into trouble and just can’t see that they brought it on themselves. Of those I’ve encountered in this group, virtually ALL (Without exception!) see themselves as a martyr. They are blind to the fact that it is their own attitude, personality, work ethic (Or lack thereof), people skills, and yes… inability to teach or preach the Gospel as the reason they’re under pressure. And no one can convince them THEY should shoulder a good part of the blame for their situation.
These guys fall into passive/aggressive tweets, blog posts, or facebook feeds. They post things like “Four Ways To Keep A Pastor,” or “Why Old Church People Need To Change” when they come under fire. Not only that, they start lobbing grenades from the pulpit by taking shots at their detractors (I call this being a “Pulpit Chicken.”). Rather than making attempts to listen honestly to critiques of their ministry… making changes… and seeking reconciliation with detractors, they dig in their heels and make things worse than they were. In their mind they have become a martyr.
Aside: I don’t know of one single minister who has become a martyr. A martyr is a person who is killed for their faith. KILLED. Being fired… run off… mistreated… or spoken ill of is NOT martyrdom. It doesn’t even reach the Biblical definition of persecution. The term does not need to be demeaned.
Granted, following the advice given above may not work. One minister I know took that approach only to be told, “We don’t want reconciliation, we want you gone!” And that is what happened. Then, rather than fight it out in committee and business meetings, he chose to walk away and not split the church with unchristian conduct. In some’s estimation he did turn the other cheek. He loved the church more than his reputation or career… so he chose to leave. HOWEVER, I pray this minister will be told one day, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
So what’s the purpose of this post? I pray a minister may happen upon it and take an honest look at himself if he is in trouble. I pray he will seek wise counsel about how to turn things around. I pray he will conduct himself in a manner worthy of the Gospel regardless of the situation he is in. THAT will glorify God. Blessings…