If you have served as a pastor for any significant period of time, I imagine you are familiar with the phrase “Some people.” It always shows up in sentences such as:
- Some people are saying…
- Some people asked me….
- Some people were wondering…
- Some people think…
- Some people are concerned…
- Etc.
Of course, 99% of the time, “some people” turn out to be the person speaking to you.
I think Nehemiah experienced this sort of thing when Sandballat told him,
It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: “There is a king in Judah.” These rumors will be heard by the king (Nehemiah 6:6-7).
In other words, Sandballat was saying to Nehemiah, “Some people believe that you and the Jews are conspiring to rebel and that you want to be king.”
But Nehemiah wouldn’t give Sandballat’s rhetoric the time of day. I love the way Nehemiah describes his own response in verses 8-9:
Then I replied to him, “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.” For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, “They will become discouraged in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen me.
Nehemiah knew that Sandballat was hiding behind “some people” in order to initiate a personal jab. So, Nehemiah called him on the carpet.
Personally, I’ve never been confident enough to tell someone using the “some people” phrase that they were making it up. But, I have come across a few responses that will help clarify the situation.
The next time someone goes into “some people” mode on you, consider trying one of the following responses:
1) Ask them, “Who are these people?”
2) If they claim to be protecting the people’s identity, tell them that you would be happy to talk directly to the people who are concerned if they will simply approach you.
3) Thank them for their willingness to be the “conversation middle-man,” but then explain that your personal policy is to speak face to face with people.
4) Explain that you do not want to place the burden of them having to represent your intentions.
If these kinds of responses turn your Sandballat away, rejoice!
If it turns out that they really were speaking for someone else, perhaps this approach will lead to a face-to-face conversation with the actual person who is concerned.
Either way, it is better than playing the “some people” game.
Perhaps you have other responses and approaches that have proved helpful in these situations. Would you share them? “Some people” might like to hear your input!