Shepherding a Church Member Who Doesn’t Like You

Brian Croft’s blog (Practical Shepherding) is quickly becoming one of my must-reads each day. This post is one example of why:

His first point is CLASSIC:

“1) Take an interest in what they love and enjoy. I confess I have walked an indoor track with elderly ladies, gardened, played with rabbits, visited people in the hospital I didn’t know, ate food still unidentifiable to me, all to take an interest in what they love so to communicate love for them. Even if they don’t receive it well, this act of humility will sanctify you.”

SO true. And SO wise.

I really appreciate how brief and REAL his entries are. Yes, I do enjoy the “long theological” blogs too. But there’s just something so helpful and winsome about this seasoned pastor writing with gentleness on these practical, true-to-life topics. It helps me to pray more for my pastors and church leaders. It gives me an even deeper appreciation for them. And it helps me to be a better follower/sheep too. (I felt the same way when I read my senior pastor’s book, The Peacemaking Pastor. What an important read for EVERY Christian, not just pastors.)

Hope you enjoy!

Yours,
Tara B.

PS
 Pastor Croft has a new book out that I’m very tempted to buy—but I may just ask our church librarian to do so. (Must reign in my book buying a bit!)

And he was interviewed about this book here.

This is a topic that I’ve learned a lot about in my current church. I really appreciate how our leaders help US (as members) to understand our duties toward (potential) future pastors, and how hard THEY work to “test, train, and send.”

His last point of this interview is worth meditating on:

“JG: What are the dangers a church must guard against while seeking to discern someone’s call?

BC: Like anything else in the church, you have to patiently help the congregation understand this role and not push the process faster than it should be for them to take this responsibility. The danger in doing it too fast is people miss the importance of it and are not willing to make the necessary sacrifices.

Another danger would be taking the responsibility seriously while not allowing oneself to take the position that only God can have. Something we struggle with is: What is the line in affirming or not? What authority are we given and what is not ours to take? We may have concerns someone may not have the gift, but we want to consciously approach that and acknowledge we are not inerrant.”