This does not excuse the disrespectful things that congregants
say. Such disrespect is a pernicious evil that we can leave for another
day. At this point, please be encouraged that you are experiencing some
of the natural overflow of the sufferings of Jesus, which means you are
honored. Those who dishonor you are the ones who will be called to
account.
Here is one reason you must be called to pastoral ministry: the
people you love will not love you back—at least some of them will not
love you back. They will say utterly horrible things about you, so you
better be sure you want to do this. It is one thing to be dissed by the
world around you; it is something else again to be demeaned by your own
church family while you are pouring your heart out for them.
Personal Attacks
This is the worst feature of pastoral ministry. Every pastor, unless he is surrounded by others who shield him from criticism, has dozens of heart-breaking stories. Take the example of the pastor who receives anonymous weekly letters from a congregant who claims to be speaking for many others when she writes, “I pray every day that you would leave the church.” The letters are all cut out from magazines so they have that creepy look of a murder threat. Continue at Ed Welch
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