MY WORST MISTAKE IN A BOARD MEETING
Vic Pentz, Jan B. Armstrong, Robert T. Wenz, G. Patrick White, and James J. Londis
April 1, 1986
I felt ambushed. The elder set down his Styrofoam cup, stared across the table at me, and said, "The choir feels absolutely no support whatsoever from this church, and especially from you!" And I, the twenty-eight-year-old pastor in the early months of my first solo pastorate, considered my leadership, nay, my very manhood called into public question.
My accuser, the crusty comptroller of one of Southern California's biggest aerospace firms and a veteran of many a smoke-filled room, was baiting me. And did I take the bait!
At first I just stared at him, speechless. Then I turned beet red. Swallowing my emotions, I somehow made it through the meeting without exploding. Still fuming afterward, I told him, "I'd like a word with you in my office." Once inside, I closed the door and literally backed him into a corner. "Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again!"
At first he looked at me incredulously, but then he burst into uproarious laughter-and hugged me. "Aw, Vic," he chuckled, "I love you. You know that!" After he calmed me down, he prayed with me. I must have matured about ten years that night. That elder turned out to be my strongest supporter in ministry.
Sometimes I wonder why clergy are so thin skinned. In the outside world, leaders continually face blunt assessment. Why should I be immune? What's more, I must be free to evaluate and challenge lay leaders, but unless I am willing to accept their not-always-tactful evaluation of my leadership, I forfeit the right to evaluate theirs.
I learned that honest feedback is the breakfast of champions-even when it hurts.
-Vic Pentz
First Presbyterian Church
Yakima, Washington
...
During one of my annual reviews, several elders mentioned they did not feel I had good management or administrative ...
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
