No one likes to be criticized. As human beings, we all have an innate need to protect ourselves – not just physically, but also emotionally. We want to be liked. We want to be respected. We want people to agree with us, pat us on the back and tell us how well we are doing.

Get your FREE E-book: Don’t Let Criticism Distract You from Fulfilling Your Calling!

But since pastoring is a job that’s done in the public eye, everyone has an opinion on how we are doing. If you talk to ten people you will get eleven opinions on what a pastor should be. But God’s opinion is really the only one that matters. We shouldn’t be surprised when people judge us or speak against us. After all, Jesus tells us that we will face persecution:

You may have had 50 compliments about Sunday’s message, but that ONE critical comment is the only one you remember come Monday morning (can I get an Amen?).

Early in my ministry, I discovered that, if I wanted to do anything to make a difference for God, I was going to be criticized often. As a young pastor, this was a struggle for me. I am a people person. I like people and I like for people to like me. So, when someone would criticize me, the denouncement had the potential to throw me into a tailspin. I would try to tell myself, logically, that I would never be able to please everyone and that I needed to take the criticism in stride and move on.

But doing so was a different story.

You see, if you’re not careful, criticism will bring damaging effects to you, your ministry and all the key relationships in your life (with God, your spouse & family, and those who call your church home). But since facing criticism is a way of life for pastors, the question isn’t “will it come?” The question for us is “how will I respond?”

In this FREE E-book, I share my field-tested insights for handling criticism in a healthy and God-honoring manner. Criticism is a reality for those of us called into church leadership.

So don’t wait – click here to get your FREE E-book!

Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.