Loving Even Enemies
One important ingredient of success is a good, wide-awake, persistent, tireless enemy.
Frank B. Shutts
A preacher's biggest problem is how to toughen his hide without hardening his heart.
Vance Havner
I confess that, to a certain degree, I was one of those idealistic young people who entered ministry thinking that because I was doing the Lord's work, the Lord's people would always be on my side, supporting my endeavors.
Surely, I reasoned, if I gain any enemies in the ministry, they'll be outside the church, somehow opposing the cause of Christ. It didn't take long to shatter that illusion. Anyone who's been in ministry more than a week and a half can probably relate to one or more of these statements by pastors:
"A small number of my predecessor's strongest supporters have been unable to let go of him and form a bond with me. For them, my best, because it is different from the former pastor, is not good enough. Aside from the emotional pain, this has also tended to make my ministry here somewhat tentative."
"When I see those with whom I am in conflict employ un-Christian tactics such as lying and backbiting, it is hard for me not to lose my own sense of Christian values."
"I never thought I had enemies until one left the church abruptly and took a dozen other families with him! This incident, more than anything in twenty years of pastoral ministry, left me depressed, emptied, and physically ill."
"The custodians try to control all the physical aspects of the church. It seems like everything must be done their way. I find the situation frustrating, and my attitude toward them is not good. I try to love them and pray for them, but I often 'backslide' into bitterness."
It is entirely possible, of course, that in trying to do God's ...
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