Could a pastor bring persecution on himself by his own attitudes toward the community?
Yes, a pastor may bring persecution on himself through his own attitudes toward the community. In the account, a young pastor was repeatedly persecuted—his car egged and windows broken—yet he was asked whether he might be promoting it by his attitudes toward the community. This indicates personal attitude can contribute to such treatment.
Les teaches that Paul did not write these things to shame the Corinthians, and he rejects the idea that a believer must suffer indignation just to prove he is a Christian. Les recalls a young pastor who seemed constantly persecuted by the community: they egged his car and broke his windows. When the pastor complained, Les asked him whether he had ever stopped to think that he might be promoting it with his attitudes toward the community. So, while suffering does not prove salvation, a pastor’s own attitude toward the community can contribute to the opposition he receives.
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Can a pastor's own attitude toward his community be the cause of the persecution he receives?
A young pastor who was continually persecuted by his community — his car egged and windows broken — may have been promoting that treatment himself by his own attitudes toward the community.