Welcome! You've Got Hate Mail
Armin Sommer
October 1, 1999
PEOPLE SKILLS
My computer monitor glowed like the luminescent eye of a sinister Cyclops. The evil
cyber-voice seemed to cackle as it announced, "You've got mail."
Ah, but what kind of mail had come through my virtual door slot? When
will some enterprising computer geek develop software to identify incoming
correspondence? Something like, "You've got a note of appreciation from
a congregational admirer," or at least, "You've got hate mail." After
all, a man needs to prepare himself.
I clicked on the mailbox icon. My screen filled with dozens of replies to
my most recent weekly congregational e-mail. Most were expressions of affirmation
or chatty rambling greetings from Internet novices.
A few, however, bore the sinister markings of the virtual critic. The subject
lines were tantalizing in their artful negativity: "You must be confused"
or a somewhat less subtle, "Disappointed by recent sermon."
I always click first on the obviously negative e-mail. Better to take the
medicine quickly. I grit my teeth and dive in, ego-first.
"I am concerned about the recent shallowness in your messages … "
"Why don't you do more to highlight my ministry? I am considering
transferring elsewhere … "
Ah, the joy of such correspondence! Criticism is not new to any experienced
pastor. One would think that after 20 years of ministry, I would simply see
criticism as a consequence of my calling. But my "crit" mail has recently
seen an alarming increase.
"Why?" I wondered. After all, things could not be much better. Attendance
is up. Believers' baptisms are setting new records. Financial giving
is at an all-time high. So what gives?
The answer lies largely in a great idea we had this past year. Why not interact
weekly with our ...
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