You would be surprised at how often I receive letters from people I don’t even know, who have visited our church only once (or not at all) and feel at total liberty to offer their opinion. Then there are those who claim they “have a Word from the Lord” for me.
In the last 3 months or so there has been a steady stream of such notes. Most of these come from people who have an axe to grind. The things they say are so off-the-wall that half the time I can’t even figure out what it is that they are trying to communicate. I’ve had people criticize our music, the concentric circles contained in our 101 seminar, and the things I say (or fail to say) while preaching. They even criticize our small groups as being wrong. Go figure.
This summer I received an angry letter from a first-time guest because I said, “We are not Wal-Mart” in the morning message. This person went on to tell me what a great organization Wal-Mart is and what a mean person I was for saying such a thing. Huh?
This week I received an e-mail from someone who wanted to argue about the practice of tithes and offerings. He visited PCC one time (two weeks ago) and then sent us an e-mail informing me that our church was involved in “incorrect teaching.” Say what? Who is he to spout off like that? I don’t even know this character. He just wanted to argue. I think this person has a few screws rattling around in his noggin, and his accusation of “incorrect teaching” lit me up like a firecracker. When I wrote him back he got a full appreciation of how offended I was at his comments and I am certain he will never visit PCC again.
I have made some 40 such response over the last few years, and it has helped keep our church free from potential troublemakers who might have otherwise wanted to come back and stir up strife. I am amazed at how free these total strangers feel in offering their unsolicited opinion (and criticism) to us after one visit to our church. Under those circumstances I don’t mind putting it right back on them and offering them a bit of pastoral correction.
To all you letter writers out there who have an axe to grind..… if you want to only hear the things you already agree with, stay home and talk to yourself in the mirror.
In the last 3 months or so there has been a steady stream of such notes. Most of these come from people who have an axe to grind. The things they say are so off-the-wall that half the time I can’t even figure out what it is that they are trying to communicate. I’ve had people criticize our music, the concentric circles contained in our 101 seminar, and the things I say (or fail to say) while preaching. They even criticize our small groups as being wrong. Go figure.
This summer I received an angry letter from a first-time guest because I said, “We are not Wal-Mart” in the morning message. This person went on to tell me what a great organization Wal-Mart is and what a mean person I was for saying such a thing. Huh?
This week I received an e-mail from someone who wanted to argue about the practice of tithes and offerings. He visited PCC one time (two weeks ago) and then sent us an e-mail informing me that our church was involved in “incorrect teaching.” Say what? Who is he to spout off like that? I don’t even know this character. He just wanted to argue. I think this person has a few screws rattling around in his noggin, and his accusation of “incorrect teaching” lit me up like a firecracker. When I wrote him back he got a full appreciation of how offended I was at his comments and I am certain he will never visit PCC again.
I have made some 40 such response over the last few years, and it has helped keep our church free from potential troublemakers who might have otherwise wanted to come back and stir up strife. I am amazed at how free these total strangers feel in offering their unsolicited opinion (and criticism) to us after one visit to our church. Under those circumstances I don’t mind putting it right back on them and offering them a bit of pastoral correction.
To all you letter writers out there who have an axe to grind..… if you want to only hear the things you already agree with, stay home and talk to yourself in the mirror.
3 comments:
Well, it appears that satan has had his feathers ruffeled, what with teens attending Church / youth meetings, families attending Church as a family, the down and out being lifted by the grace of God, the sick receiving prayer & care, the list goes on and on! PCC is the Body of Christ in action and satan isn't happy. All I can say is your either with Christ of against Christ, there is no middle ground here. Let's pray that God will continue to bless our Church, if God is with us, who can be against us? NO ONE !!!!
Pastor Ron, Thanks for being our Pastor!
James Wheelus
James,
Outstanding comment!
Amen, James, Amen!
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