Lesson in LeadershipHocker Family in 1970 at Oregonia Ohio
from left: John, Uncle Larry, Dad, Kelly, Myself, Mom, & Rick

When I was twelve we lived in the parsonage at Oregonia, Ohio where Dad was pastor of the Oregonia Church of God. The picture above was taken at our dining room table. In case you can't see the resemblance, I am the boy in the striped shirt sitting between my two youngest brothers. I had been playing the piano and organ for church, because we didn't have that many people who could. One Sunday morning, our Sunday School Superintendent asked me to play the organ softly while he read the announcements after Sunday School. During the announcements that Sunday, a man seated at the back of the church spoke out loudly saying, "Could you stop the music, we can't hear what you are saying!" Well, the man was hard of hearing anyway, and I was playing the organ with the volume all the way down as soft as it could be played. Still, I slipped off of the organ bench and sat on the front pew. There was a big lump in my throat. I just wanted to go and hide, but I couldn't. The kids from children's church were singing right after the announcements, and it was my responsibility to lead them. I did my best to swallow the lump in my throat and just go on. After church I told Dad how I felt, and he responded that I had just learned an important lesson about leadership.

One thing you can count on in leadership is that confrontation and criticism are always included for no extra charge. Hey, that's even the case when you are a volunteer! In Numbers 12 Moses finds this to be the case even from the folks closest to him. His brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, speak against Moses in Numbers 12:2.

"Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?" they asked.
"Hasn't he also spoken through us?"

We learn so much here about how to handle criticism. In verse three the Bible says that Moses responded with humility. When we respond with humility we allow God to vindicate instead of hurting those who have criticized us. Sometimes criticism is just and intended to be constructive. At other times it is the tool of our enemy who is bent on our destruction. Ultimately we need to focus on the big picture and stay on course. God has given us a job to do, so we don't have the luxury of wallowing in self-pity. We must get up and keep on going. Don't let the nay-sayers and the critics discourage you today. Take heart as you continue walking in His will for your life. Have a blessed day.