Here’s what’s true.
No significant progress is made without opposition.
And if you’re drawing unavoidable criticism (watch for my next post on the line between justified and unjustified criticism), you’re in good company.
The Israelites were ready to stone Moses, and even his siblings rebelled against him.
Joseph was sold out by his family.
Jesus was crucified by his enemies (you could argue that Jesus had more critics than supporters at the end of his life … just read to the end of the Gospels).
Luther was excommunicated.
Calvin was hated.
If you think there is a way to do something significant and avoid criticism, I’d love to hear it. I’m not sure you can escape it.
Case in point: There are few leaders in the church today with more influence than Andy Stanley. Being the lead pastor of a strategic partner church of North Point, I’ve seen Andy not only on stage, but behind the scenes. I can vouch for his personal integrity at the highest of levels.
You would think with all the progress Andy has made, not just for his church, but for the church, critics would leave him alone.
But they don’t.
When you read the comments on this CNN article about Andy, you’ll realize that anyone doing anything significant will get a boatload of criticism (often from people who have done nothing significant with their own lives). It both saddened me and made me angry to read the comments on the article.
Criticism is inevitably a companion of true leadership.
So, you have a choice.
Do nothing significant.
or
Prepare for some criticism.
If you’re attracting criticism, it just may be a sign you’re doing something significant.
And if you’re not, maybe you should get started.
