How Pastors Should Respond to Criticism
One of the grim realities of being a pastor is that you will experience criticism. I have known many pastors through the years, and each one has undergone criticism. Criticism is inescapable in the life of a pastor.
Few things challenge a pastor more than criticism. Personally, there have been times when criticism has absolutely devastated me. It is especially difficult to receive when given by someone you respect deeply or by someone who has completely misunderstood a situation. Criticism can sideline or paralyze a leader, or it can help a leader be better in the future. I have personally experienced each of these situations.
Without question, many times criticism is unfair; at other times, it is right on, with 100% accuracy! So, how should a Pastor respond to criticism?
1. Receive it.
When someone criticizes you as a pastor, receive it. In fact, receive it with grace, not letting your body language demonstrate defensiveness or disapproval. Assure the person criticizing you that you will receive what they say, consider it, pray about it, and determine the direction God wants you to go in the future.
2. Learn from it.
Criticism can be a great teacher. Pastors should be teachable, even teachable through criticism. We are not perfect. We are not sinless. We make mistakes. Own them. Confess them as sin. Make it right with the person. Those who are spiritually mature are able to learn from criticism. Pastors, always take the high road; you will never face a traffic jam there.
3. Outlive it.
If a person criticizes you unfairly, outlive it! Through the course of time, a life of integrity and honesty can overcome the criticism of others. Sooner or later, their criticism of you will fall on deaf ears because time proves it all in life. Nothing is more powerful than a consistent, Christ-centered life, lived out over the course of time by a local church pastor. Therefore, outlive your criticism!
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
All good advice but I’m not sure it answers the question as to how we respond to unfair and unjustified criticism. Outliving it is good advice but how does one actually do that? Do we not respond at all, defend ourselves, etc.? I ask not to attack the article but to really find out, I could use the help.
I’m a young pastor in San Diego. Thank you for this post. It really meant a lot to me. Great advice. God bless your ministry.
[…] Wednesday, I wrote about “How Pastors Should Respond To Criticism”. Today, I want to talk about something related, but much more serious. This is not an easy subject […]
Pastor, I learned to invite criticism because it tells me how people view me and my behavior. Negative feedback, criticism, provides me with information on what I need to improve.
When you think about it, only negative feedback will motivate change and improvement. Positive feedback, compliments, may make me feel god, but it is not likely to push me to improve. Actually, it will make me complacent and happy to remain as I am, continuing the same old behavior.
I want to become more and better than I am. Honest negative feedback is indispensable. Even, dishonest criticism can also be helpful.
That is why I tell people, tell me how you feel and what you think, you cannot hurt my feelings.
If someone cares enough about me to offer help by criticizing me, I am thankful. Some of my most vocal critics have become good friends. Do they still criticize me? Yes, some do. But, I believe a good kick in the seat at the right time can keep me on track to where I want to go. It is in fact a form of encouragement.
Jimmy Collins