True friends

As a pastor I receive a lot of advice on how to do things better. I must admit I don't listen to a whole lot of it sometimes as I can feel that it differs from where God is leading me in my prayer life. If I am in God's will then a complete 180 degree turn is not an option for that time. I do listen though, to any and all advice that is given depending on the source. You see, there are those who are just telling you what they prefer or want to get from the situation. They will share the info with you and then expect you to jump into action. There are also those who love you and care for you, they will tell you exactly what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear.
After a sermon I want to hear good job, that was a great one, or I enjoyed it. I don't want to hear you should have gone into more detail about this, or that; or even that was kind of dry. I don't want to hear those things, but if it is true then I need to hear those things. (Ofcourse it is never the case with my sermons, hehe) My point is you need to surround yourself with people who keep you real, and on task. People who care for you and tell you what you need to hear.
As a youth pastor there were so many people in the church that didn't care one way or another for the youth ministry. They didn't take the time to know anything about it, they were clueless but as long as there were teens there on Wednesday night and Sunday morning they were happpy. That isn't truly what youth ministry is about, but to them it was. They would tell me I was doing an awesome job, or that they were so proud of me. That was nice I must admit, but on the other hand I had a few college students and a few seniors that I sat down with regularly and told them to please critique what I was doing. A few of them I could tell were uncomfortable doing it, but still some of them were more than willing to do it. I still have them involved in my ministries today, they'll tell me what they really think and what I need to hear rather than tickling my ears with praise or what they think I want to hear. That's ego feeding and there's nothing worse than a pastor with an ego!
Proverbs 27:5-6 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
It is far better to have people in a congregation that will tell you the truth in love, than sit back and not say anything at all. Those who love you, truly care about you , those are the people who will keep you strong and help you in the long run.
My challenge to you is if you are in a leadership role of any kind, find people who love you enough to tell you when you are wrong or when you are not doing a good job. Those are the ones you want on your side, not the ego feeders.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!