The Established Path of Discipleship

No sooner than I said hello, he said, “I’ve got to talk to you, Pastor! When can I come in? Later that afternoon, I listened as the uncharacteristically flustered senior told me something I said in last Sunday’s sermon that upset him. “You said that I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Pastor, this is not your church; this is God’s church!” As soon as he paused for a breath, I told him that he must have heard me wrong. In the sermon, I quoted Jesus from Matthew 16:18. I said Jesus said he would build his church, and the gates of hell would not prevail against it.

That story may be humorous, but it highlights a common worry of teachers and preachers. Like Nina Simone and later the Animals of 1960s fame, “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good. Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.” Despite our good intentions, we are often misunderstood, misquoted, and maligned around the Sunday lunch table for what we said or did not say. So, what’s a pastor, teacher, or anyone communicating to do?

• Check the clarity of your communication.

Make a habit of asking people of different age groups if there is anything in your message or lesson they do not understand or that is unclear. A good follow-up question is: what could I do to make this more understandable?

• Check your motives and methods.

We believe our motives are good since we are teaching God’s Word. God’s Word, however, reminds us that is not always the case (Jer. 17:9). If possible, occasionally listen to your messages. How did you sound? Angry? Giddy? Silly? Were you being manipulative? Were you being prideful? That is, when you got positive feedback from the congregation, did you pile on with another story or snappy one-liner?

• Recognize God’s sovereignty over misunderstanding.

Most mature saints will come to you when confused about something you said in a sermon. Many people will not. This is all covered by God’s providence. They may even spread their misunderstandings in their scope of influence in the church. Do not fear. God works even misunderstandings for your good and for his glory.