Dealing with Angry People

In this episode of the Lead On podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, discusses practical aspects of ministry leadership, particularly addressing the challenge of dealing with angry people. Iorg observes that anger is prevalent in today's culture and often spills into churches and ministry contexts. He explains that anger typically arises from feelings of threat, whether physical, relational, personal, or related to one's possessions or identity. He provides various examples and emphasizes that ministry leaders can often become unintended targets of displaced anger. Iorg advises leaders to recognize different expressions of anger, such as hostile humor, nagging, and withdrawal, and to handle these situations with patience and firmness. He underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of anger and using these moments as opportunities for discipleship and spiritual growth. Ultimately, Iorg encourages leaders to maintain a compassionate yet firm stance, sometimes requiring confrontation and containment of destructive behavior to protect the ministry's mission.