Criticism

“most church members aren’t listening so that they can offer critiques but so that they can be edified. For this I am grateful! Yet also, most members are hesitant to voice negative feelings about preaching.” - 9 Marks

“It is better far to listen receptively than to listen critically, to search diligently for every strength while quickly overlooking every weakness… to listen as a broken person than one who is convinced he is already complete” - Challies

“In the last few years, there have been quite a few polemics published that slam evangelicalism. Some have had good but hard words we need to hear. But most suffer from the same problems which make their attempt at being prophetic fall on deaf ears.” - Dan Darling

“If you’re a creative person, at some point, you’ll find a boss, investor, studio, or colleague who rejects your ideas. Sometimes, it will happen so often that you’ll start to question your own ability and wonder if you’re really creative at all.” - Phil Cooke

“I still wish the editor might have found something positive to say. But ultimately, I was thankful for the correction because it led to a vast improvement in my writing and a new watchfulness.” - P&D

“You know the species. They’re often jaded, jealous, even belligerent—all too often verbally critical of the organization and you personally.” - IFWE

“One pastor had a group of people circulate a petition to get him fired. They tried to get signatures in the foyer as members walked into church for Sunday services. Another pastor experienced the creation of a Facebook page dedicated to criticizing every aspect of his preaching and leadership.” - Church Answers

“In other words, a person who seems as though he is criticizing his ingroup is often actually criticizing the outgroup he looks down on the most—the one closest to him.” - Ben Edwards

“In this modern era, this is all the more reason to stop ourselves, be ‘slow to speak’ and ‘slow to anger,’ and perhaps go to a trusted friend and ask, “Should I send this email/post this blog? How would you recommend I change it?’” - Alcorn

“We ought to think seriously, then, about the pain we inflict. Some pain is necessary, no doubt; but much of the pain we inflict with our words and actions, even when confrontation is called for, is unnecessary. Some of the pain we inflict comes from our own impatience, or frustration, or self-focus.” - Olinger