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		<title>How to Pastor Difficult People</title>
		<description>Discuss How to Pastor Difficult People</description>
		<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people</link>
		<lastBuildDate>Sat, 25 May 2013 18:42:04 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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			<title>ccc says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-3735</link>
			<description><![CDATA[And there are difficult pastors who are controlling and intimidating and preach with their own agenda.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>ccc</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:11:53 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-3735</guid>
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			<title>Tim j says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-3594</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I started reading this and the labels of different kind of "difficult people " and I had to admit I laughed at first , but I starting thinking maybe we should be ourselves , and preach the gospel . I agree that I have ran into some different characters in the ministry , but as Pastors its our duty to pray and feed the flock . If we do this God will take care of the rest . I will say also every "difficult person " I have dealt with has helped me to grow spiritually . Thank God for these kind of people helping us to keep in touch with reality that yes people sin . The problem with labeling these people is sometimes we build up walls ourselves and become a lot like them instead of being what Christ wants us to be . In reality they probably have labeled us also , and they probably see our failure even when we don't . I m just glad God loves us even though were difficult . Has anyone here second guessed him? Maybe that difficult person who second guesses us was put there because we have]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Tim j</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sat, 05 Jan 2013 04:13:55 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-3594</guid>
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			<title>Laura31 says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-2934</link>
			<description><![CDATA[This always seemed to help me deal with difficult people pretty well http://howtofixstuff.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-deal-with-difficult-people.html]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Laura31</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:51:28 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-2934</guid>
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			<title>KeKe says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-2597</link>
			<description><![CDATA[What if the difficult person is your Pastor. I am a member of a church where I am distinctly different in many ways. Single No Children Advanced Education One of the youngest adults Recently my Pastor blasted the entire church and made specific reference to the Pulpit ( I work there) and when I tried to talk to him he indicated that he wasn't addressing me. I fully believe that he was - because his approach to offense is indirect - speaking from the pulpit instead of addressing individuals. I am trying very hard to be like the Savior and I have to admit that I am struggling. Especially since he said that people could/should leave and a few other things that were hurtful. I]]></description>
			<dc:creator>KeKe</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2011 06:59:42 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-2597</guid>
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			<title>just sayin says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-2398</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Loving folks unconditionally; I agree wholeheartedley. Yet I have found that some folks simply do not receive it. Or believe it. Perhaps those whom are most challenging to Pastors are often not loving themselves, believing themselves lovable or otherwise closed to the power of unconditional love by their Pastor? As created spiritual beings with emotions and minds, we each carry a context of thoughts and feelings that can obstruct being loved into healing. Love as action is needed. So, I think psychological insights are quite valuable. It could be that so&so a person must first be understood and, at times, confronted (with grace) before they are even able to benefit by knowing we love them. Understanding some psychological and sociological things about people can also help Pastors to be free from the toxicity of some folks (ie: taking responsibility for someone else's issues, and so on).]]></description>
			<dc:creator>just sayin</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:12:17 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-2398</guid>
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			<title>Laurie Wright says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-2175</link>
			<description><![CDATA[To whom it may concern, Difficult people in the churches today are because no know one has shown them how to love their self never the less anyone else. In some case their there are way too many deacons running the church instead of the man of God who has been called and send by God. Deacons who have been in charge for so long, that when the Lord has blessed them with a Pastor they don't know how to treat the man of God. But the Bible says touch not my anointed one and do my prophet no harm, this means by word or deed. Many people who are difficult before they like the love of God in there lifes.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Laurie Wright</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:50:51 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-2175</guid>
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			<title>erik/rick says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-1257</link>
			<description><![CDATA[i CAN RELATE TO PASTORS, COUNSELORS, & THERAPISTS CONCERNING DIFFICULT PPL; PPL WHO PLAY GAMES & WE DEVELOP COMPASSION FATIGUE & PSYCHIC WOUNDS FROM BEING N THE PRESENCE OF DECEIVED, DEFILED, & WOUNDED PPL MORE THAN SOLITARY TIMES OF REFRESHING FROM GOD'S PRESENCE, ACTS 3:19-21; MATTHEW 11:28-30.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>erik/rick</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:53:52 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-1257</guid>
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			<title>crystal says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-1061</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I don't believe the article is speaking about the ease of loving someone, love is a choice, not an emotion. We love people because we choose to love them, that has nothing to do with how difficult they are. The one who has a teachable spirit, who is king and giving and intelligent, these are easy to deal with. But others who oppose the right way, whether it is the rules of society, or the rules of God; if they are rebellious in some way, then they are indeed difficult. I find it refreshing that personality features can be broken down into catergories such as these to give each of us better insight into ourselves, as well as others. Blessings to all.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>crystal</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:59:26 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-1061</guid>
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			<title>Angelia says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-875</link>
			<description><![CDATA[The word Psychology is the from the word Psyche where the word " soul" comes from. If we are dealing with peoples souls we must engage every available tool that God has given us. Maybe you think we are stealing these methods from the world, when in fact they stole it from us.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Angelia</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:19:26 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-875</guid>
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			<title>Meri Ford says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-198</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I am a counselor and can identify with the various types of people that this article refers to. What I found rather hard to swallow, was that we categorize these as "difficult people" because we find them so different than us. What makes a person "easy to deal with?" Do we find those who are "easy to love" different than those that are "difficult to love?" Perhaps we haven't discovered "love" at all! I work with drug addicts and alcoholics. They aren't "difficult people." One isn't easier to love than the other, for love is a choice and it takes the power of God (Grace) flowing through me to relate "lovingly" to any person. If I loved those who were easy to love better than those who are difficult, then perhaps I really don't know God's love who sees no difference!. Perhaps it isn't love but desire or lust. Agape love is always done by faith and flows out of us as we put our reliance upon the Holy Spirit who reaches out to other people. I guess that one of the things that I found myself sensing as I read this was from my own experiences in congregation where I am sure I was considered a "difficult person." While it is true that God has worked a lot of recovery and healing in my life, I know what it was life to be treated as if I was "difficult." Generally that meant that I didn't tend to function the way others did, didn't always agree with them, and in some ways was told I intimidated pastors without saying anything. As I work with clients it is my goal and the goal of the agency I work for to let God through Christ Jesus in us touch everyone that comes in the door of our agency. We find ourselves at times saying, "He is a nice guy"...and we are quickly learning to lay our judgement down and be personally honest and say, " I like that guy." We find that we are "naturally" judgemental by labeling people "nice" which isn't any more or less judgemental than saying someone is difficult or not nice. Seeing people with a variety of behavioral pattern through the eyes of Jesus, and seeing through our own humanity is a challenge all of us who walk with the Lord will be faced with at some time in our walk with Him.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Meri Ford</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sat, 16 May 2009 14:31:22 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-198</guid>
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			<title>Dennis Steinmetz says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-186</link>
			<description><![CDATA[This was a very good article. There is nothing wrong with applying psychology. Jesus responded to some difficult people in different ways using some of these techniques. I think that learning to respond differently is acknowledging the individual differences in each of us and I would define that as loving unconditionally. The intention of the article is to help us get along with these people, and this is well done. I want to add that these problems may issue forth from buried sin issues such as unforgiveness carried from past hurts or pride, etc. This is an approach that will allow the broader aspects of church activity to continue despite their active or passive opposition, and this is necessary. However, Jesus said the poor would always be with us, and He did not say to deal with them in such a way that they would not interfere with the financially successful. Along the same lines we must continue to encourage, exhort, rebuke, and correct these people lovingly with "Rhema" Scripture (Eph. 4:15 ) so that these disciples may eventually overcome their difficulties. We are commanded to do this in 1 Corinthians 5:7-13 in conjunction with Matt. 18:11-18. This commandment was directed to the church at Corinth, in context meaning that all members of the church must engage in this ministry, not the pastor alone. This work is, sadly, missing in many churches, and poorly done in some others. Of this we all must repent and become doers of this word and not hearers only. We are all one body, if any one of us suffers, we all suffer to a certain degree. I want to thank you for a very worthwhile and focused article. Following the suggestions in your article can get us through the crisis, implementing the entire word of God can develop the problem people we are called to disciple. God's word does not come back void!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Dennis Steinmetz</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Sat, 09 May 2009 06:02:21 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-186</guid>
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			<title>Kelvin Lim says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-44</link>
			<description><![CDATA[They are always around and often we too are difficult people to handle by others Pastors are no exception. These difficult people are also a reflection of myself Be patience with them as God is patience with us !]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Kelvin Lim</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:37:50 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-44</guid>
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			<title>Lesbia Candelaria says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-15</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Wonderful article! I'm dealing with this issue right in this moment and it consumes my soul every time I have to confront or even talk with some of the people that you have described above. I agree with Gail in terms that we have to love these people unconditionally, but because we love them as well as we love the rest of the community of faith is that we need to help dificult people to be useful to the Kingdom of God and not be a stone in the path toward others. It's our call, as leaders, to help others achieve what God wants them to do. Knowing their personality and how to deal with each of them will equip us to work in peace, justice and true love.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Lesbia Candelaria</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:52:12 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-15</guid>
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			<title>Gail says:</title>
			<link>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-10</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I realize being a pastor is difficult, but if that's what you are called to do, then you need to love these people unconditionally. I think you needed to emphasize that more, as opposed to using psychological methods.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Gail</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:33:14 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/culture/7294-how-to-pastor-difficult-people#comment-10</guid>
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