All Leaders

Early on in my time as Congregational President, I noticed two things:

1. That I received a lot of criticism (usually about others)
2. And generally speaking, the criticism was anonymous, usually from second or third hand sources

Now to be clear, I welcome debate and criticism. After all Solomon says, "Rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will still be wiser." (Proverbs 9:8-9) I'm not trying to squelch criticism; but anonymous criticism. This kind of criticism is problematic for a few reasons. 

The first reason is that this criticism is almost always the result of gossip. Gossip is a sin, (Romans 1:29) and when dealing with members of the church we should not be engaging in such destructive behavior. The second reason (though really the first should be enough) is that practically speaking anonymous criticism doesn't help solve anything. If a member has a complaint about how an Elder is behaving for example, the President or any other member should not be sounding board for such matters. In fact Christ himself gives us a Divine lecture on how to deal with such matters (Matt. 18:15-17.) 

So using what Jesus says as our guide, if we receive such complaints we should instruct the matter to be resolved privately at first. If that cannot be done, then following what Jesus says two or more witness can be brought with the aggrieved person. Not anonymously. Only then can it be brought before the Church, whether that be Church Council or the Pastor, however the situation is. 

I pray for unity within our churches and I welcome and questions or comments. 

In Christ,

Having been head elder when the Paster resigned on Saturday evening and now president of the congregation, my policy is anonymous coments is to ignore them and I have made it clear to everyone.   However I welcome comments positive or negative from anyone.

As a result, it does not come to me and very few other officers get it.