Revitalize Your Church

A man was bitten by a rabid dog and ended up in bed seriously ill.  He  mustered up enough strength to request a pen and a pad of paper.   Then, he began to write furiously -- page after page.  "Honey, are you  writing your last will and testament?" his wife asked.  "No," he  replied, "I'm making a list of people I'm going to bite!"  "His bark is worse than his bite" has been said both of dogs and  grumps.  Unfortunately, there are some people who can pack a pretty  vicious bite.  Perhaps, you have been "bitten" by someone.  Maybe you felt the sting  of gossip or the barbs of unjust criticism.  Such encounters leave us  wounded and in need of emotional first aid.  How do you handle "attack dog people"  -- the ones who snarl and snap  at you, and will take a hunk out of your behind if you turn your back?  1.  Remember, hurting people hurt people.   When they lash out, ...

Nobody likes to be criticized -- but a lot of people can dish it out. Some folks seem to have a natural talent for fault finding. With all this criticism flying around, sooner or later you are going to get clobbered! What is the healthy way to deal with criticism when it comes? 1. Consider the source. Has this person earned the right to speak into your life? Pay attention to criticism from those whose opinion you respect. Don't worry too much about "blab-a-holics" who can't tell when to turn off the spout. 2. Take the kernel of truth and discard the shell. You wouldn't think of swallowing a whole walnut and you shouldn't swallow a whole criticism either. Almost every criticism has a nugget of truth in it. Receive the truth as a gift, and get rid of the rest. If you can learn to do this, you will become a better person. 3. Don't throw criticisms back . Hurling back negative remarks will only make matters worse. Refuse to waste your breath by arguing with a ...

"Christ-centered church critics" is paradoxical. The spiritually mature person should be learning how to live in this world where, as Ronald Rohlheiser says, "all symphonies remain unfinished." -- Mike Lueken in "Unfinished Symphony" Leadership Journal

In honor of President's Day, Todd Rhoades has a great post: Abe Lincoln on Dealing with Critics

God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede. -- Oswald Chambers

And speaking of mega-churches . . . this should not come as any surprise. Up here in the northwoods, everybody knows that all the hunters are looking to shoot the big buck. (Just watch how these churches respond. They won't fight back. I'm predicting they will demonstrate grace and love -- like Jesus would do.)