Rebuked by an Intern
I think there are moments in our lives that seem insignificant at the time, but years later you look back on it and realize it was a defining moment. I had a flashback as I prepared this week's message. Several years ago I was rebuked by an intern. And I'm so grateful. It was a little embarrassing getting lectured by a nineteen year-old kid, but I'm so grateful he had the courage to speak into my life. He said he detected some pride in the way I talked about other churches. And I hate to say, but he was so dead-on. So apologized to him and repented to God.
As a leader, there are times that you need to deflect criticism. I quote something I heard Erwin McManus say all the time: If an arrow of criticism doesn't pass through the filter of Scripture, don't let it pierce your heart. Listen, if it doesn't pass through the filter then you need to ignore it. But if it does, you need to let it pierce your heart.
Every once in a while I'll get a critical email or critical comment. And I don't like being rebuked anymore than the next guy. But I've come to appreciate it because it forces me to look in the mirror. And it's the only way I'm going to grow.
One of the tricks of leadership is having thick skin and a soft heart. But if I'm going to error on either side, I pray that God would give me a soft heart. I need voices that speak into my life. The second a leader thinks they are beyond rebuke it's the beginning of the end.
As a leader, there are times that you need to deflect criticism. I quote something I heard Erwin McManus say all the time: If an arrow of criticism doesn't pass through the filter of Scripture, don't let it pierce your heart. Listen, if it doesn't pass through the filter then you need to ignore it. But if it does, you need to let it pierce your heart.
Every once in a while I'll get a critical email or critical comment. And I don't like being rebuked anymore than the next guy. But I've come to appreciate it because it forces me to look in the mirror. And it's the only way I'm going to grow.
One of the tricks of leadership is having thick skin and a soft heart. But if I'm going to error on either side, I pray that God would give me a soft heart. I need voices that speak into my life. The second a leader thinks they are beyond rebuke it's the beginning of the end.
5 Comments:
That quote you shared from Erwin McManus is something I am going to share with my staff and hang up in my office. Great thoughts bro! Thanks. I read everyday and get fed.
GREAT BLOG today Mark!
Come see us at Radiant soon!
Jesse
Awesome words. Thanks for your openness. Thanks for letting us know you are a real person.
Mark,
As a leader I must learn to handle criticism with caution. The greatest leadership lesson is the one of self leadership. I have a criticism process. I first ask is it true? If it I repent and confess. If it is not true, I ask myself … Have I said or done something that would make it appear true. If so I adjust and confess. Lastly, if it is not true and I have no actions that would lead it to look true I ask this question. What can I do to help the one who criticizes? Sometime to answer is distance most often it is grace. We lead people not processes!
MAN did the quote about thick skin and a soft heart come into play this week! Our church offices were broken into this week and my boys and I walked in on the guy! Then a key family left due to some doctrine stuff...a key leader lost his job and a few other crazy details ALL WITHIN 2 DAYS! I blogged about your quote this morning and God has used in me over the past couple of days...THANKS MAN!
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