This is the kind of stuff that I wish wasn’t true.

I wish it never happened.

But it does. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen very often in your Christian community.

It’s called criticism. And sometimes, it’s well deserved.

Other times, it’s unjust because the source is corrupted somehow. Or perhaps their past experiences cause them to see some matters through a distorted lens.

If you serve in a local church for very long, you’ll learn how imperfect God’s servants can be.

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Maybe you’ll follow this advice from veteran servants of God.

My friend, Pastor Joe McKeever, tells about a veteran deacon leader who is now deceased. This deacon’s practice was to give the following advice to newly ordained deacons.

“From time to time, church members will call to complain about this minister or that one. Let me tell you how to handle it. Hear them out, then say, ‘Come with me, and let’s go talk to him.’
-If they’ll go with you, well and good.
-If they refuse, tell them, ‘All right. I’ll go, but I will use your name.’
-If they approve, good.
-If they say, ‘No, leave my name out of it,’ tell them, ‘Then that ends it right here. I refuse to take anonymous criticism to anyone, particularly a servant of the Lord. It’s unfair to them, does not help the situation, and is unworthy of the Lord.’”

Pastor Joe’s experience includes years of serving pastors from a denominational perspective. As well he is also a veteran pastor of several congregations. He also shares the following.

““I cannot tell you how many times broken-hearted pastors have sat in my office and told how someone came to them saying “A lot of people are saying…” And when he said, “Who is saying that?” The deacon answered, “I’m not at liberty to name names.”

When that happens, the pastor should get up and show that man to the door. And if he refuses to leave, then the pastor should leave. This kind of cowardliness has no place in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ!””

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I agree with their counsel, and here’s mine.

The truth is that we are not equipped to judge one another negatively within the Body of Christ. The overwhelming majority of the time, our criticisms are based on incomplete knowledge and inaccurate observations.

The Spirit says in Romans 14:4, “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.”

Only One is perfectly equipped to judge us all. Only God knows all, sees all, and can genuinely discern the motives of every individual.

Only One is perfectly equipped to judge us all. And He sits upon a throne of grace (see Hebrews 4:14-16).

Some might think or say something like this.

But Pastor William, you’re a man of God, and you’ve been in ministry for a long time. It’s your job to call people out for their apparent wrongdoing. Aren’t you supposed to judge those in your pastoral care?

I know what you’re saying, but that is rarely the best practice of godly leadership. Even at the denominational executive leadership level, that is not our primary service to the Body of Christ.

Yes, there are times when matters must be investigated and carefully prayed about. But those judgments are only made after many delicate and difficult conversations. Even then, the servants of God involved feel inadequate for such evaluations.

So what’s my job? I’m called to love people. Yes, sometimes my eyes see, and my mind analyzes, and I might even think I have a just criticism. But that should stay in my soul and between me and our Lord.

I’m called to love you and help you grow in Christ. So that means I must fulfill my duty to preach the Gospel and teach the truths of God’s Word, the Holy Bible. Sometimes, that spoken ministry will come across prophetically as the Holy Spirit uses me. But it should never be mean-spirited or laced with judgemental tones. This reminds me of the Spirit’s counsel recorded here (go back and click the link).

Nevertheless, if you come to me and ask me for input, don’t be shocked to hear some valid insights. I’ll do my best to be gentle, remembering that, like you, I am an imperfect servant of God. Because I love God and I’m eternally dependent upon His grace, I’ll love you and assure you of His love.

As a servant of God, I answer to the highest authority – the One who called me. Because of that, I willingly submit myself to the leadership of those He has placed over me. It’s for my own good, and I thank Him.