Sent to Shepherd: Leading in Church PlantingSample

Misunderstood and Accused

We won’t know that we’ve gotten it right as leaders when everyone esteems and applauds us. That hasn’t ever been how the world responds to true shepherds. It certainly isn’t how they responded to Jesus.

We have to be careful, but the truth is when the powers of the world turn against us it may well be our best evidence that we are on the narrow path. Jesus caused division everywhere he went in part because he insisted on challenging a way of life held sacred by the crowds around him. Jesus turned their world upside down, taking every symbol of their national identity (the Temple, family, the Sabbath, etc.)and making those merely signposts that ultimately pointed to him. It didn’t sit well with everyone. It’s our job to continue sharing Jesus’ message that turns the values of our modern world upside down and calls people to live radically different lives. It will undoubtedly lead to pushback and possibly even persecution.

Because of our sinfulness, we must tread carefully when we face misunderstanding and opposition from others. At times we may face it because we’re operating more in our self-interest than we would like to admit. Jesus could turn every misunderstanding about him and attack against him into evidence he was doing his Father’s will. We can’t. We have to seek wise counsel, keep people around us who will tell us things we don’t want to hear about our leadership, and never cease to surrender it all to Jesus. Sometimes we will face opposition because we’re in the wrong. It’s our job to maintain enough humility to know this is a possibility and be open to correction.

We should face opposition and at times outright attack. However, it is vital we have a way of determining, with God’s help, that we are being persecuted for the right reasons.