People Hear what they want to hear

I got this from another church planter by the name of Gary Lamb, it is really good.  This has happened to me over and over.  Check it out...

I’ve noticed as a pastor that people hear what they want to hear and not what is actually said. This personally is a pet peeve of mine. If you are going to be angry about something, at least be angry by what was really said.
For example:
I will preach the vision of Revolution is to reach those who are far from God. I will say we didn’t start this church for other Christians. What people hear is we hate Christians. Nothing could be further from the truth
I will preach on giving and talk about how men should step up and lead their families financially in tithing. What people hear is if you aren’t going to give, you aren’t welcome at Revolution. If that was the case we would have about 100 people showing up every week because that is about all that understand the biblical principle of giving back to God.
A pastor will approach me about something God has laid on HIS heart for OUR church. I say thanks, but no thanks. While that might be a great idea it doesn’t fit our vision. What they hear is I put our vision over God (never stop to think the vision might be from God?) and that we are not kingdom minded.
I will say that I don’t met with people one on one and that I don’t visit hospitals. What people hear is that I hate people. Ever stop to think that we around 1500 different people who come in and out of our doors over the course of a month and it would be impossible for me to meet with everyone.
I could go on, but you get the point. People are going to get angry if you are leading. That is part of leading and I accept that. Matter of fact, I lose very little sleep over people getting angry, but if you are going to get angry, send an email, run us down to others on your blog, at least make sure you heard what was said and not what you wanted to hear.
Just a thought for the day.