My personal headline for the week is: “A Tale of Two e-Mails.” Readers will understand the origin of this headline shortly, after I actually post the two e-Mails I received this week. Before we get to that, however, I must say something about the roller coaster that is ministry. There will always be a segment of individuals who not only hate what you and your community are doing and trying to do, but also express an inexplicable need to actually tell you so. I used to be one of those people. I’d relentlessly criticize people like Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, and Bill Hybels. In spite of all the work and fruit these men produced, I’d criticize them for not “doing it” like I’d do it. I still wouldn’t do things like they did, I’m just far less sure of the infallibility of me and my methods. And while I still would not try to copy what these guys do, I will not criticize them anymore because I am up to my neck in ministry and now I understand just how difficult it really is to be in the ministry. That’s the big difference between me then and me now. I am actually ministering! Usually, the loudest and most obnoxious critics know nothing about the difficulty that is ministry because they are not doing it. And let me be clear: Going to church and reading the Bible and becoming an armchair theologian isn’t the same as leading a ministry.
Guys like Warren, Osteen, and Hybels obviously didn’t listen to my proud critiques of them and their work. I think that if there is a ministry lesson that I can learn and willingly (key word!) apply from these fellows, it’s just that!
That said, here is a bit of the roller coaster … I received both of these e-mails within eight hours of each other:
I have spent over a month listening to all your sermons that were available. I have spent time reading your blog. This time spent was to discern the foundation of your beliefs.With that said, I want you to know that on Sunday I wrote to the leaders of the Atlantic Conference about my concerns for where you are leading the sheep. The Brethren in Christ was founded on the foundation of Scripture. Your teachings are not.
In Christ
[NAME REMOVED]
Well, that was interesting. You can find this very statement in comment form on this blog too. And for the record, I’ll gladly meet this fellow and talk Bible for as long as he wants, or can handle. My foundations are there, in the Bible, I assure you. I have often said that without Scripture our faith would be rendered meaningless as a result of the total loss of context. I find this charge humorous, to be honest. I’d also say, as I did in my original response to this comment, that you should write as many letters as you can if it makes you feel better. Rail away.
Then I received the following e-mail. I thank God for people like this! Not everything is negative or hubris-laden, and some people actually get it. Thank you!
Hey Sean,
I simply wanted to drop you a note of blessing. I enjoy reading the stuff posted on the blog and listening to the sermons. It’s refreshing to know that there are people in Lancaster County who care about humanity more than about how much money someone makes. I know that living and interacting with community and church is not easy. Especially difficult is to be the one who is humble enough to be a leader within that.
I wish you and the leadership team at IMG joy in the irony of life and unexplainable peace.
Shalom,
[NAME REMOVED]
Gordonville, Pa
Thank you, Gordonville, PA! I don’t even know where Gordonville is located, but I’m glad you are there! Your words of encouragement are a blessing! Thank you and God bless you!
So, what are we to do? These are two drastically different e-mails, for sure. I’d say ignore those who criticize or rail on about how “un-biblical” your efforts are and focus upon the good things happening all around you. If you are working hard to connect people to Jesus’ Kingdom, and chasing hard after God’s will for your life, the Debbie Downers of our world will get tired of being ignored and find something or someone else to rail against. That’s what they do! It’s sad really. If only they would actually invest all of that time and energy into actually trying to build a community themselves … but that rarely – if ever – happens. Instead, they, more often than not, settle for complaining and criticizing all those who actually step up and do it.
So, just go on with your work. Ignore them. And be happy! God smiles at such audacity, I promise.
Related posts:
I chuckled at your closing line and then thought actually, we are to love them. I wonder what that looks like? I’m afraid to admit it is beyond me.
I travel to New Holland occasionally. One of these trips I want to experience IMG in person. White shirts and ties, right? ;-)
Blessings!
… Jeff
Shawn, are you calling people out again :) I understand what your saying, I’ve encountered the same problem here in Allentown. In some ways it really is amazing that people don’t have better things to do with their time, yet I do remember conversations that we shared where the time would have been better spent else where, particularly in ministry.
Right on, Wes. I remember those conversations too. That was my point. We weren’t ministering but we thought ourselves experts without actually knowing what we were talking about! LOL! Actually building/leading a community has a way of humbling the loudest and most obnoxious critics.
Hope all is well in Allentown.
You are always welcome, Jeff. White shits and ties? Not so much. LOL!
Blessings to you too.
God is love. Right now I’m experiencing for myself that swallowing my pride is a big part of that. Also, critiques are great. But I think as Christians in the kingdom of God, our critiques need to be specific, come more full circle and provide direction and something more just pointing out what is wrong. We’re in this together. Peace.
@shawn good to see your alive. yes, I did notice the footer!
Thanks, Dean. The footer is my ode to the Pearl Jam song by the same name. :)
Also, I just want to add something regarding the above critique re: letter writing to the Atlantic Conference: I do not consider people with whom I share community “sheep.”
That concept has been misused, abused, and celebrated as justification for poor leadership and authoritarian stupidity for far too long. Plus, it doesn’t produce disciples; it creates mindless followers who only end up in the same ditch as the one who has mastered the art of misunderstanding metaphor.
Shawn, we go back about, oh four years or so. Though we’ve never met face to face I feel like I know you because I read every article you publish. Because of that I feel confident when I say that even though I’m no longer in paid ministry (and likely never will be again) you give me hope for the direction and course of the Church. Not just your church, but the Church universal. You’re one of the most biblically grounded ministers I know (I can count them on my fingers) and you are doing great, my friend.
The title caught my eye…A Tale of Two Emails. Maybe he has you mixed up with someone/someplace else? I cannot for the life of me understand what he/she is alluding to in the email. Email from Gordonville, PA has it right! He’s/She’s been hearing what they’ve been reading in the Bible and know the truth when they hear it. Remember how Jesus was misunderstood by the Pharasees, might be some “Pharassic” isssues (alot of that going around)? Heard about these types of letter writing before when the truth is preached.
Your friend in Christ, shalom
Ben, you are the man, bro. And we will meet in person someday. We must …
Agreed