Asked and Answered Part One…

September 22, 2020

We have had so many questions come in for Matt! Thank you so much for participating. Since we had such a large number, we decided to split them up into different weeks. If you don’t see your question answered here today, it may show up again in a different post.

Question: Have you had to handle much criticism, and how do you do it?

Matt: I think we all at some point have to deal with criticism. The way I try to handle it when someone is critical of me or the church is to first of all, listen and assume their motives are not meant to be hurtful. Really listening in humility to what someone has to say about you is hard to do, but it’s usually the best first response.

Unfortunately, many times the person giving the criticism does not come to you directly, and instead, shares his/her thoughts or disparaging words with others. This is the criticism that feels like a punch in the gut, and we’ve all felt it. 99% of the time, when something like that happens, I let it hurt then move on. An emotionally/spiritually healthy and happy person doesn’t speak ill of others. I think if we remember that, it’s easier to give grace to someone who hurts us. Odds are, they’re hurting, too, and you are just a by-product of their pain.

Whenever my kids have found themselves in situations where friends are saying negative things about them or are pulling away, I tell them, God has placed the people around you He wants around you. When people float in or out of their lives, I tell them to be confident that God is in it and not to be offended when some people move on. God is usually protecting you and/or your heart when he removes someone from your life.

I won’t lie. Criticism is hard, and many times, I have let it affect me in negative ways. I’m no expert on how to deal with it because it’s a constant struggle for me, especially in these days when the climate it so charged and divisive. My prayer for myself and my prayer for you is to stand firm. Be who God has called you to be without feeling the pressure to mold yourself into someone else’s version “right.” If you keep your eyes and ears tuned into Him and the connection between the two of you strong, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of you or what you should or should not be doing. Boldly and unapologetically answer to One, then be kind and love the rest the best you can.

Question: What is the goal for the church in relation to physical size?

Matt: I love this question because when we started Hill City back in 2016, one of my biggest goals was to blow this place up. I wanted big numbers. I begged God for it. And while we never really had low numbers, I was never pleased unless the room was packed out. Numbers kept me up at night and were constantly on my mind.

Ang talked about this a little bit in her post from last week. We literally killed ourselves trying to come up with ideas and ways to get people in the doors… so much so that we wore ourselves out and ended up feeling empty, even if the room was not.

Today, my heart is simply to do and be whatever Jesus calls us to do and be. I want us to be healthy. I think growth is a sign of being healthy, so of course, I welcome growth. But I’m not losing sleep over our numbers. I love our size, and l love how it allows for real connection. That said, if our numbers increased, our goal would still be true, deep connection with our people and with Jesus. That’s who Hill City is and will continue to be.

Question: Is it true that Ang gave you a list of words not to say from the stage?

Matt: 100% yes. And I 100% stink at abiding by it.