6. Acknowledge that your concerns may not be accurate.
You don’t have to be right to be heard. Your perceptions matter because they are real and are likely shared by others.
If you are struggling with the preacher, you may be right, but you also may need help with your perception. Own that this is your problem instead of assuming the preacher has the problem, and ask him to help you understand where he is coming from before drawing hard conclusions.
Approaching a conflict humbly from a position of weakness rather than resolved strength is actually more powerful in the kingdom of God.
7. Don’t tell the preacher what you would do if you were in his position.
You are not the preacher. You don’t understand everything he is facing. There is much you don’t know.
Until you are there, you don’t know what you would do.
In the same way, if you want to be heard, don’t tell him what your favorite preacher did once upon a time. Let the preacher find solutions to problems that fit him. If he wants your counsel, he will ask for it. Then, and only then, will it be heard anyway.
8. Assume he has good motives and don’t judge his intentions.
You don’t know someone’s heart unless they reveal it to you. Don’t assume you can read what only God knows. The arrogance of judging other people’s motives would be laughable if it were not so harmful.
