A Reminder On Hard Day in Ministry

If you pause in the conversation, 

"It's dead silence. "

If you respond too quickly. 

"You weren't listening, but waiting to talk. "

If you preach on one theme. 

"You are ignoring the rest of the Bible."

If you bring on new volunteers, 

"You're obviously pushing the seasoned volunteers out. "

If you created a new sustainable framework for a ministry area, 

"No one likes the new way"... on the first day.

Everything you do is 

watched 

judged

evaluated 

picked apart. 

You are a walking fishbowl. 

And most of the time they have already formed an opinion of who you are.

And...it's not changing. 

No matter how much you preach and teach about emotional health and intelligence, developing a growth mindset, healthy boundaries, self-awareness, conflict resolution, Matthew 18, direct communication, crucial conversations... 

You aren't who or what they want/ expect. 

And they are going to text and talk about you and not to you. 

And you know who's problem that is? 

NOT YOURS.

Don't take it on. 

Don't let it hurt you. 

Illegitimi non carborundum.

Shake the dust off your feet. 

Remember Paul says in Galatians 1:10:

 "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

You will not make everyone happy. 

You're not here to do that. 

GO-- Make disciples. 

Don't worry about making everyone happy, or like you. 

GO-- Love them. 

No matter what. 

And... Give yourself Grace.