Church planters, as I have observed and personally practiced, live in a constant state of being either angry, depressed or delusional. One might say, “I am neither angry or depressed.” Delusional: “An idiosyncratic belief or impression that is not in accordance with a generally accepted reality” (Wordreference.com).
Church planting is hard. Working with people is hard. Dealing with our own emotions is hard. A passionate, emotional pastor planting a church with opinionated people is bound to encounter a conflict or two…per hour. The conflicts are not the problem. The responses usually are. Harsh words in the midst of conflict are like weeds in an untended garden. They crop up everywhere until they finally take over and choke out any fruitful conversation.
I received an ugly text from someone recently. Texting seems like a strange way to vent anger. It was from a disqualified pastor who had committed a horrible sin against his family and his church. I was helping the church to deal with the mess he made. He didn’t like what he had perceived was my advice to them so his cell phone attacked my cell phone with viral words. That is my explanation since I cannot fathom a friend speaking to me in this way. My emotions rose and I was angry at his impudence, arrogance and ignorance. My response? I texted, “I love you, Dave.”
I wish I could tell you that my response to attacks in the past has always been with this kind of graciousness. I also wish I could tell you that Dave repented and confessed his venomous attack of me with his carelessly keyboarding thumbs. Instead, Dave continued to defend his “justifiable anger” by text message. He said that pagans treated him better than I did. Suddenly, he implied that his righteousness was deserved and I was worse than a pagan! I am glad that I didn’t react. I called him…on the phone. I know talking on the phone isn’t the hip and cool thing to do these days, but pastoring a la Twitter Seminary, while economical, is completely ineffective.
Five Tips on Handling Angry People
“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20, ESV).
1. Be Slow to Speak.
Make a decision not to react without thinking. People make foolish comments all of the time. A friend confronted me about something I did and my response was that I had no idea why I did that. I did not have malice or intent and my actions were completely contrary to my value system. I didn’t make excuses (oh, I had a few) and I didn’t attack his actions. Instead, I asked forgiveness and he extended it immediately.
2. Filter Your Emotions Through the Gospel.
Nothing sets the Gospel aside quicker than loss of control in anger. When I am angry, I focus on how God responds to my ongoing sins and transgressions and idols. I often wonder why He puts up with me. I am convinced that He loves me more than I love myself and that He is full of grace, mercy and forgiveness. I do sinful things and God forgives me and the ministry of reconciliation is exercised. I am both reconciled and am called to be a reconciler (2 Cor. 5:18-19; Rom. 5:10-11).
