Marks of Missional Leaders (#6) – Courage in the face of Painful Criticism

In a recent Doctor of Ministry class discussion, here at Biblical Seminary, the class was wrestling together with the costs of leading an established church toward a more missional focus. As observations were offered, I recorded them on a flip chart. As the page began to fill up, a student from the back of the room shouted out in exasperation, “if it costs this much why would anyone in their right mind want to do this?” Indeed!

There is a significant price to pay for leaders called to serve as change agents. In fact, one of the responses to this observation was that unless you are personally convinced that this is part of God’s call on your life and ministry, DON’T DO IT! The painful criticism you are likely to incur in the process is likely to be intense. I have heard testimony upon testimony of pastors and congregational leaders who have sought to catalyze a mission focused reformation in their church. Some lost their position of leadership. Others endured venomous attacks in the process, but did survive. Why is this, the case?

For most people, any significant change is hard. It will require a period of transition to the new behavior and all along the way to the new, there will be temptations to give up the effort. We …

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