As you pursue God’s purposes, you are going to face negativity and criticism. I guarantee it. Given this reality, developing a tough hide— that is, learning how to deal with criticism well — is key to fulfilling your purpose. Here are 4 tips to help you stay strong when negativity tries to chafe you:

1. Strengthen Your Foundation.
The best way is to go deeper in your relationship with God through continual prayer and study of the Word. You are then better able to hear from Him in every decision you make, which will naturally diminish the voices of the critics when they come against you.

2. Limit Your Exposure.
Minimize the criticism that comes across your desk. You are not a trashcan. Begin building some criticism hedges around yourself. Set up a gatekeeper who takes a look at all of your email and standard mail before it ever makes it to you. I recommend asking a trusted staff member to take on the responsibility.

3. Master the Art of Confrontation.
Don’t be afraid to confront conflict when necessary. Just keep these 4 things in mind:
a. Pray and Prep. Pray over the situation and also make some notes about what you want to say in the meeting. In short, be prepared.
b. Plan Your Approach. Take the angle of resolution through clarification. And above all else strive to preserve your relationship with the other person.
c. Assess the Attitude (Never Assume). Along the same lines, make sure you confront the attitude, confusion or motive that’s driving the attack, rather than confronting the person.
d. Act Early. Run to conflict. If you catch conflict in its earliest stages — before it becomes infectious, takes on armor and runs people out of the church — you can arrest it and correct it.

4. Find a Lightning Rod.
You need to make sure you have people with whom you can share the onslaught of criticisms you are facing and who are spiritually mature enough to give their opinions in a helpful, non-biased way. If you want to fulfill your calling, you are going to have to face that spiritual warfare along the way. As you move through it, keep your heart tender and your hide tough — and never stop gathering. Never stop preparing for the task you’ve been called to do.

Click here to read Part 1 of this series.

Join Nelson Searcy and special guests for 3 days dedicated to helping you fulfill your calling as a pastor — to replenish your energy and focus for ministry! The Renegade Pastors Conference will be held Wednesday, February 27 — Friday, March 1, 2019 at Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL. Seats are Going Fast —But You Can Sign Up Now at the Early Bird Rates! Register now at: www.RPConference.com.

© 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.