DeanPastor
New Member
How should the Pastor respond when a church member offends him by something they say or do.... here is my situation
I was confronted by one of my deacons because I did not mention from the pulpit this last Lords Day anything concerning his local High School Football's team accomplishments in the state playoffs. I have about 5 families in my congregation from the neighboring school district. (97%) of our families live in another school district, which is representative of our church (about 60 students). This brother lives in the one that is has te 5 families and is also represented in our church by 1 student. However, there has been a history of jealousy between the two districts and even families in our church (I know this is veeerrryyy small...but hey, this is Texas and we are talking about High School football)...anyway, this brother confronts me in front of my secretary...his anger comes from the fact that we do allot with our own school district in the way of recognition, and the fact that the majority district has had a lot of success in the past three years (Won State last year) Here is an example of what was said "All we ever hear is ****** this and *******that...we finally do something in ****** High School and not a word from the pulpit" "I am very disapointed in you pastor"
Well anyway...I was angered by his tone, the way he approached me...and the absolute silliness of it all. I am not asking is he right or wrong...but I did respond rather shortly and somewhat pointed that I am not in the cheerleading business and that this is a non-issue to me. FACT IS.... I WAS OFFENDED! I preached Sunday morning with 102 temp and a barely audible voice and all this guy can say is "You did not mention my team!"
My question is this...do you feel I should apologize for my shortness with him and should I share my anger with his attitude in more detail with him? Should I just let it go? I know Jesus very rarely responded to this kind of criticism. Do I just need to GROW UP myself? The hard part is he is a good guy...and he is also my friend...I don’t know why this has bothered me so much and I am really looking for Godly Council.
I guess I was just blinsided by it all...and I just do not do well with pettynes....in others or myself.
Thanks for your thoughts and God bless
I was confronted by one of my deacons because I did not mention from the pulpit this last Lords Day anything concerning his local High School Football's team accomplishments in the state playoffs. I have about 5 families in my congregation from the neighboring school district. (97%) of our families live in another school district, which is representative of our church (about 60 students). This brother lives in the one that is has te 5 families and is also represented in our church by 1 student. However, there has been a history of jealousy between the two districts and even families in our church (I know this is veeerrryyy small...but hey, this is Texas and we are talking about High School football)...anyway, this brother confronts me in front of my secretary...his anger comes from the fact that we do allot with our own school district in the way of recognition, and the fact that the majority district has had a lot of success in the past three years (Won State last year) Here is an example of what was said "All we ever hear is ****** this and *******that...we finally do something in ****** High School and not a word from the pulpit" "I am very disapointed in you pastor"
Well anyway...I was angered by his tone, the way he approached me...and the absolute silliness of it all. I am not asking is he right or wrong...but I did respond rather shortly and somewhat pointed that I am not in the cheerleading business and that this is a non-issue to me. FACT IS.... I WAS OFFENDED! I preached Sunday morning with 102 temp and a barely audible voice and all this guy can say is "You did not mention my team!"
My question is this...do you feel I should apologize for my shortness with him and should I share my anger with his attitude in more detail with him? Should I just let it go? I know Jesus very rarely responded to this kind of criticism. Do I just need to GROW UP myself? The hard part is he is a good guy...and he is also my friend...I don’t know why this has bothered me so much and I am really looking for Godly Council.
I guess I was just blinsided by it all...and I just do not do well with pettynes....in others or myself.
Thanks for your thoughts and God bless