Sometimes a pastor's job is to render unpopular decisions.

Take heart, men entering ministry, and all of us in ministry,

there will be times when even our own families will not understand.

There will be decisions you make that perhaps even they will

disagree with. Keep a tender heart, keep a tough hide. Anyone who's served in church leadership, whether as a volunteer or full-time pastor,

understands the challenging nature of working with people.

Sometimes it's, well, complicated.

Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall continues his study in the New Testament letter

written by the Apostle Paul to Titus. It's a series we're calling Tough Grace in difficult places.

In this next study, our goal is to help those in

leadership develop two personal qualities. First, a tender and compassionate heart.

The second, thick skin that will deflect unfair criticism.

Chuck titled today's message, The Tough Side of Ministry. Our scripture reading today is found in the little letter that Paul wrote to Titus,

a young pastor he left on the island of Crete.

Returning to chapter 3 verses 8 through 11, admittedly this is not an easy section of scripture.

Paul understood that while all leaders tend to be targets of criticism,

those engaged in ministry at any and all levels become recipients of some of the most vicious attacks.

And so Paul wanted to make sure his young protégé Titus was well prepared for that criticism, criticism that was sure to come.

Paul knew that the easy thing to do was to please people rather than stand on principle.

But of course leadership takes more than compassion.

It requires conviction and the ability to confront.

Because invariably Christians who have strayed from the truth

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