Criticism is not a Spiritual Gift

Criticism is a two-edged sword in the life of a leader.  On the one hand, a leader who only surrounds himself with “yes men” limits his perspective.  On the other hand, the voice of too many critics will leave a pastor wanting to bail on ministry and find a new vocation.

James 3:17 says,

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure: then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

There are eight characteristics given in this verse.  If someone comes with a pure heart and no ulterior motive, is peaceful and not hostile, is considerate in word choice, has a history of being submissive and not rebellious, speaks with mercy and is not accusatory, has good fruit in their life, is impartial in the sense that they aren’t going to profit from the decision, and they speak with sincerity, then we should be all ears.  As you can imagine, few pass this test.  Does this mean everything they said was wrong?  No.  however, the lack of these characteristics raises red flags as I’m listening.

Many times, when a person criticizes a leader, there can be a kernel of truth in what’s spoken.  Some people just don’t have tact.  If you can get past the anger and rudeness, there may be something for leaders to learn.  This is not easy to do.  It’s nearly impossible to gain that kernel of truth from only one comment even if they say, “There’s a group of us concerned….”  I always ask for each person in the “group” to come talk to me but that has never materialized which even erodes that person’s credibility more.  Yet, if you hear the same criticism repeatedly, even if the messenger can’t communicate in a loving way, good leaders try to sift through the chaff to find the kernel of truth.

Chronic complainers don’t stop complaining with explanation; they simply look for something else to complain about.  Argumentative people are always looking for arguments.

It is unhealthy for pastors to listen to continual negativity.  This wears pastors down and eventually leads many ministers to abandon the ministry.  So pastor, surround yourself with people who believe in you, who in believe in what God has called you to do, and who are loyal to you as a leader, but also value honesty.  If a criticism has merit, it will make its way through the ranks and get to the appropriate channels.  If not, then those with the “gift of criticism” may have to find another church.

Why I Don’t Give to Panhandlers

There are many reasons including the below video.  Helping the hurting should be done in relationship in comprehensive ways that actually help them, not enable them.  So support organizations and ministries that help people who are REALLY hurting systemically so that they can get out of the cycle of poverty.

There is a Great Difference between the Love of God and our Love

You will have problems if you teach a child that God loves him ONLY as long as he is good AND that when he is bad the Lord does not love him.  When he grows up , if he has a bad temper, he will have the idea that God hates him.  He will think God doesn’t love him when he has a bad temper.  And, as he has a bad tempter all the time, he will conclude that God does not love him at all, but hates him all the time.

Now God hates sin, but loves the sinner.  There is a great difference between the love of God and our love–all the difference in the world between the human and divine love.

Bizarre (and real!) Plastic Surgery Commercial

or is it fake?

Moral Living is not why Jesus Died

It bothers me to believe that God would localize salvation in one solitary person–in Jesus.  But that’s what the Scriptures plainly say.  There’s no way of getting around that without gutting the Scriptures.  I’ve looked for a loophole.  None exists.

Even today, I prefer to talk about the tragedy of people living and dying without knowing Jesus, rather than to get near the subject of the eternal consequences.  Deep down in my heart, I know the truth of the matter–without Jesus people are in serious trouble.  Believing that is the only reason I would ever consider giving my entire life to the ministry of Christ.  Not believing it is why so many pastors and leaders can spend all their time in struggling churches playing nursemaid to a bunch of spiritual pygmies.  They have no urgency to share the Good News.  They don’t believe that people’s eternal destinies hang in the balance.  Since Jesus isn’t the only hope to the world to them, Christianity is a way of living morally rather than a life and death issue.

There’s nothing wrong with moral living; it should be the outcome of any legitimate faith.  But moral living is not why Jesus died.  Jesus died to save everyone from their sin.  To not believe that guts any form of urgency to give one’s life to spread the Good News.

Four Signs of a Strong Faith

4 signs of a strong faith…

1. Faith in the Word of God.  John 4:50, “The man believed the word that Jesus had spoken.”  The Word of God is precious and we learn to revel in the truth itself apart from any benefit that we receive from it.
2. Restfulness.  Faith that is not impatient or in a hurry as if it relies on us.  Instead, willing to let God take His time, confident that God’s timing is better than ours.  We have the promise, which to the eye of faith is equal to the fulfillment of that promise.  In this age of hurry, we need such a “rest” of faith.
3. Readiness to receive confirmation.  The person who believes God’s Word will hear, sooner or later, the echo of an answer.  They will hear it in fulfillment of some kind.  The temptation too often is to take honor from God when we have asked and received.  We then give credit to secondary causes.
4. Willingness to receive spiritual blessing. We are anxious for our home on earth to be happy, healthy, and whole but we will  receive a home in heaven happier, healthier, and complete.  God gives above all we can ask or think.  Great faith prizes “spiritual blessing above temporal blessings.”

Why I Like Harry Potter…Are there still anti-Potter Christians?

I think they are all gone…well, maybe not.  I ran into a Christian last week who couldn’t believe that not only had I read the Harry Potter series but had seen the movies AND that I endorse them and let my children partake.

There is so much I could say…but I’ll let one of my seminary professor’s explain:

So what’s your take?