Get the right people in the right positions to begin with. Motivating people who fit their jobs is much easier than hassling with those who buck the system.
— Leith Anderson

I once invited a well-known preacher and educator to speak at a Christian education banquet held at our church. An hour and a half before the event, I learned our Sunday school superintendent, a main figure on the evening's program, would not be attending. He was protesting the presence of our "theologically liberal" guest speaker.

I picked up the phone.

"Bob, I understand you don't feel comfortable with our speaker's theological convictions," I said.

"Uh, yes."

"In the spirit of Matthew 18, then, can I ask you several questions? Have you confronted him personally with your concerns? If so, have you met with him again, taking along a member of the church? Finally, if you were unsatisfied with the results of your first two meetings, did you request that the matter be brought before the church?"

A long silence screamed from ...