It was wrong and I knew it.
See, I have a strict policy about not reading the negative critical emails that come in around here.
“How many negative critical emails do you get?”
I don’t know. I told you, I don’t read them.

All emails sent to me are screened. The constructive, helpful stuff that you send in is delivered straight to me in a nice little stack every Wednesday. Sometimes I read those emails 2 or 3 times, and I rejoice. And I’m humbled. I write in my journal and thank God that He would use someone like me to encourage others. God is good and gracious, and I thank Him.

The stuff that isn’t constructive and encouraging is sorted, and either handled by another staff member, or deleted, whichever is appropriate.

FOR EXAMPLE: An email calling me cocky and arrogant would get deleted, probably before even being read in its entirety.
An email with an honest question about what we believe based on something I said with a positive tone would be followed up with.

I know 3 or 4 of you (and it’s always just 3 or 4. Thousands of people read this blog every month, dozens send in encouragement, and the 3 or 4 that don’t like it are the ones that would stick to my soul, if I read them. Isn’t that stupid? That’s why I don’t read them.) are thinking one or more of the following things:

1. You shouldn’t isolate yourself from all negative feedback.
I don’t. My wife, my lead staff, and my mentors get to tell me whatever they need to tell me in appropriate settings. They know me and love me. I listen to them. Ask them and they’ll verify.

I also spend an hour with a professional counselor every week, I have 2 “accountability partners” (if that’s what you like to call them), and my sermons under-go a weekly voluntary critique from a trusted friend at another church.

That’s not being isolated, friend. That’s being intentional.

2. You don’t even have the guts to respond to your critics?
I do have the guts. I just don’t have the time. Or the desire.

3. Aren’t you setting yourself as untouchable?
No. I’m setting myself up to last in ministry for the long haul. The number one reason pastors leave the ministry is discouragement. By committing myself to the practice of selective hearing, I’m building in parameters for protection.

If everybody with an email account and an opinion had unfiltered access to me, it wouldn’t make me more humble.
It would make me focused on what others think more than what Jesus thinks.
That’s the epitome of pride, and the antithesis of humility. And I refuse to be a slave to the fear of man.

However, I’m ashamed to say that recently I found a loophole in my own system.
It’s called Technorati. The way I understand it, it’s a search engine for blogs. I do know that it allows me to see what others are saying about me and my blog with up to the hour accuracy.

I got addicted to it 2 weeks ago. Today my detox begins.
I refuse to ride the roller coaster.
For every 10 guys with blogs who think I’m a hero, another guy thinks I’m the anti-Christ.
And the more God elevates the influence of Elevation, the more dangerous and nauseating the roller coaster will become. So I’ve decided to bail.

Lori, Chunks, Larry, and Damion will continue to keep up with this stuff. That’s their job.
And they’ll show me the stuff I need to see. Who’s reading and what they’re saying, when it’s appropriate.
The encouraging stuff will safely arrive on my desk regularly. And I’ll rejoice.
Not because I’m an ego maniac who needs to receive praise. But because when I know God has used me to help you, it causes me to praise Him.
I’m in the ministry to help people and change lives. When that is happening, I’ve got to know. It fuels my fire to stay in the fight.

I’ll let Jesus and those who know my heart inform my perspective of who I am and how I’m doing…
Not every college student living in his mom’s basement with a blogspot and a cable modem.

If you don’t like this approach or philosophy, feel free to blog about it.
As of today, I’ll never know…

A couple of my pastor friends who read this blog need to be set free too.
You know who you are. Let these verses sink deep into your spirit:
Titus 3:8-10
8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.