Pastors and Their Critics: A Guide to Coping with Criticism in the Ministry

When it comes to criticism in church ministry, false optimism hopes that pastors will be above reproach and their congregants fully supportive―while false pessimism holds that criticism is inevitable, constant, and only ever destructive. The truth, of course, is much more nuanced. In this short, comprehensive, and necessary book, pastors Joel Beeke and Nicholas Thompson lay biblical foundations for coping with criticism, give practical principles for receiving criticism and responding appropriately, provide guidance for offering criticism and creating a healthy church culture, and unfold a theological vision for coping with criticism in the gospel ministry. With wisdom, charity, and illustrations from decades of pastoral experience, they turn to the example and comfort of Christ, strengthening, encouraging, and equipping the reader.

Joel R. Beeke is president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, where he also serves as professor of systematic theology and homiletics. He is a pastor of Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan.