Mar 7, 2023 | Abuse, Difficult people, Emotional Health, Leadership, Mental Health, Ministry Leader, Pastor
We’re currently in a series of pods on mental and emotional health. We’ve talked about becoming our own best friend; telling our anger where to go. Today we’ll focus on the subject of protecting ourselves from people whose mission in life is to hurt us. You can...
Sep 27, 2022 | Criticism, Difficult people, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Pastor, Podcast
No matter how great a leader you are, there will always be a few parishioners who don’t like you and feel it’s their calling to criticize you. In part two of their conversation, John & Jim unpack two more behaviors that help leaders when those they lead attack...
Sep 20, 2022 | Difficult people, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Pastor, Podcast
Criticism hurts. No matter how great a leader you are, there will always be a few parishioners who don’t like you and feel it’s their calling to criticize you. Both Jim and I could recite multiple instances during our tenures as lead pastors where the vocal minority...
Aug 11, 2022 | Criticism, Difficult people, discouragement, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Pastor
Criticism hurts. No matter how great a leader you are, there will always be a few parishioners who don’t like you and feel it’s their calling to criticize you. This group of people who think you suck can—although they are in the minority—tend to be the most vocal...
Feb 17, 2022 | Abuse, Anxiety, Depression, Difficult people, Emotional Health, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Narcissism, Pastor, Uncategorized
Today’s post is a continuation of our February blog series on mental and emotional health. In it I tackle a subject most of us would rather avoid—protecting ourselves from abuse. In 2 Timothy 4:14-15 the Apostle Paul wrote to his young apprentice, Timothy, “Alexander...
Dec 2, 2021 | Burnout, Calling, Difficult people, discouragement, Leadership, Longevity, Ministry Leader, Pastor, Quitting
Pastors are on the move. In its most recent study, Barna discovered 38% of pastors have seriously considered quitting full-time ministry this year. This percentage is up 9 full points (from 29%) since Barna asked church leaders this same question at the beginning of...