For Hearers:
1. The most helpful criticism is given in the context of mutual brotherly love.
This is true across the board, not just with preachers. We all are more likely to receive criticism when it comes from someone who loves us and has our best interests in mind.
2. Be sure your motives are right.
I’ve observed in some critics an unhealthy appetite for debate. Others latched onto minor points or illustrations. Homiletical molehills became theological mountains, and I walked away wondering if the person even heard the rest of the sermon. The best critiques have come from people with an earnest desire to see people helped and God glorified through the clear teaching of Scripture.
3. Pay attention to timing.
Here are several times that are probably not in season:
Sunday afternoon or Monday. Your pastor is already drained from the weekend’s output. Give him 48 hours to rest before sending that email.
Sunday morning before the service. Don’t hit him with questions about last week’s sermon just before he goes into the pulpit. In fact, try not to ask questions about anything. Let him focus on the task at hand.
While he’s on vacation. Save it for when he’s on the job.
Come to think of it, don’t use email at all. Instead, schedule a friendly mid-week phone call or lunch appointment.
Yes, this means talking face-to-face (or at least, voice to voice). But it also gives you time to carefully think through what to say and how to say it and provides a venue for your pastor to come with a fresh mind to give his full attention to your concerns.
4. Criticize the right things.
Your pastor doesn’t need you to flag every pulpit peccadillo. Love covers a multitude of sins, including sermonic faults and flaws.
If you’re tired of sports illustrations, or thought the sermon was a little dull this week, let it slide.
Save criticism for things that really matter: mishandling Scripture, confusing delivery, unnecessarily offensive words and tones, and tendencies to drift from the centrality of the Gospel.
To be more concrete: If the preacher is taking texts out of contexts; or so bungling his outline that everyone feels lost; or using inappropriate humor or making derogatory statements about gay people or liberals; or always harping on the 70th week rather than the incarnation, atonement, resurrection or second coming; then it’s probably time to take him to coffee.
And you should pick up the tab.
