Being in ministry means people –
which inevitably means disagreements, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings.
Jon Dart, Transitional Pastor for VMC, has experienced and led congregations through a few of these sorts of situations and has learned much over the years.
He encourages people to take some time before the conversation happens.
Pray.
See if there’s a log in your own eye.
Ask the Spirit to expose anything in your own life that needs to be dealt with first.
Clothe yourself in humility.
Move forward with compassion for the other person.
Sometimes leaders have to make difficult confrontations and hard decisions,
especially if there has been intentional wrongdoing.
But even then, Jon urges for a tone that is marked by grief,
not indignation or shame.
May God grant each of you wisdom and discernment as you navigate difficult conversations and hard situations.
After all, we have a God who hears our cries for help and loves our congregations and communities more than we do.
From VMC November E-Newsletter
Photo credits: christina@wocintechchat.com