A Spiritual homily.
How should you as a young Christian Leader handle Criticism?
A simple question that has huge implications for the young leader. Get this
wrong and you may well destroy what God has already built.
For example, in days gone by the normal way to criticise was
to face the person in open debate. It allowed both parties to defend their
positions and for people to come to a conclusion as to the critics complaints.
Later rather than openly debate they would write a letter to the editor of the
local newspaper in order to vent their spleens on a particular topic. However
today, the first recourse of those that have a complaint or criticism is social
media, for all and sundry to see regardless of audience. Once it is out there
it’s out there and there is nothing we can do, it would appear that today’s generation
has very few filters.
Criticism can be divided into three categories, True, Untrue
or malicious. If it is true then respond do not react, do not appear to be
defensive or antagonistic. That plays into the hands of those who are
criticising. If it is untrue then perhaps do what Jesus did, keep silent, or follow the advice if the writer of Proverbs 12:16 “A fool shows his annoyance
at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.”
I read a blog post
this last week that criticised a nation’s prime minister, a church
denomination, its leaders and its organisation and beliefs. Very little
evidence was given other than this persons view. Rather than give specific
evidence he made sure everyone was brushed with the same tar brush, in his mind
the perceptions were very real. On these
issues the church has remained silent and rightly so.
The fact is that through your life and ministry you will be
criticised, you never know it may be an opportunity, but if it is not, the answer is simple; Keep silent take a leaf out of Jesus’s
playbook. If you feel you are right and what you are doing is God’s work and
mission, then do not feel you have to defend God. He will always be vindicated.
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