SEVEN STRATEGIES OF SABOTEURS

Those seeking to catalyze change in a church or organization know that receiving criticism and efforts to sabotage those changes is not only possible, it's probable. Preparing your mind, heart and spirit for that reality is one thing, enduring and leading forward progress in-spite of them is quite another. 

Brother Pastor, Church Leader, Staff member - preparing for the battle before the first salvos are exchanged is not only good advice, it is essential. 

Consider the challenges Nehemiah faced, follow his example, trust God and lead forward.

SABOTAGE STRATEGY 1 - PUBLIC AND OPEN CRITICISM
Critics gonna criticize, often, perhaps loudly, maybe publicly, definitely to those willing to give an ear to their negative vocalizations. In part criticism is a good sign (as long as your not being mean, foolish or exercising poor leadership.)  You can expect people to get angry, mock, question and criticize. 

RESPONSE: Stay at the work

SABOTAGE STRATEGY 2 - PLOTTING CONFLICT
It is sad, but it happens. People antagonistic to changes at a church may exercise bylaw loopholes to gather a crowd (who haven't a clue about what's going on at the church by the way) to vote down initiatives, vote out a pastor and cause chaos. You'd think what with the absence of visitors, baptisms and members sharing the gospel they'd have more important work to do - but no, plotting to keep the church dying and declining-that's the important priority. 
 
RESPONSE: Pray and set up guards

SABOTAGE STRATEGY 3 - ENEMEY INFILTRATION
Not everyone who is with you is for the vision God has given. I've been surprised by betrayals, spies, moles and leakers who took information, manipulated it to their own ends. These close insiders mischaracterize vision, leaders motives and look for ways to kill progress and take out leaders. I wish it weren't so, but sometimes it is. 

RESPONSE: Equip everyone with the truth so that they can defend

SABOTAGE STRATEGY 4 - REQUESTING A "MEETING" 
Let me give you some trusted insight, borne out over a couple of decades of ministry experience. If a recently vocal negative critic wants to "meet" to talk things out, if they aren't leading with repentance, if they have spread gossip and rumors like wildfire, sewn dissension among the congregation and their invitation to convene a conversation isn't absolutely soaked with apologetic humility - don't meet. 

RESPONSE: Focus on your important work

SABOTAGE STRATEGY 5 - THE ANONYMOUS LETTER 
Our seminary and bible professors told us this would happen, the stories prepared our minds cognitively but nothing prepares our hearts for suffering but actually suffering. Typically we hear about such letters only after others have received them. What do the authors intend? Perhaps it's to blanket the congregation with criticism, it could be to plant seeds which would sprout additional opponents. Such letters are meant to strike a blow to the leader, eliminating their voice, silencing them to address the matters raised in the document. 

RESPONSE: Speak the truth, pray.

SABOTAGE STRATEGY 6 - INTIMIDATION
Some critics and their allies attempt to strike a leaders heart with fear. Using hyperbole, exaggeration and over statement they claim things are worse than they actually are, that circumstances are perilous, that the future is dire. Their advice - hide, run, play it safe, back down, stop. 

RESPONSE: Discern the source, pray.

SABOTAGE STRATEGY 7 - SIDE CHANNEL CRITICISM
When leaders are undaunted, when all the strategies employed to get them to stop, change course, lose heart or quit a Saboteur in a last ditch effort to have their way may "flood the zone" with a wide spread last ditch attempt to discredit the work, the leader behind the work and build a coalition of like minded critics among the influential, the common public and the entire community. 

RESPONSE: Disregard

Questions for Reflection

1. What sabotage strategies are you dealing with right now?

2. What can you learn from the example of Nehemiah?  How can you mirror his response? 

3. What help do you need to stay on course - pursuing the vision God has given? 
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