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

“Here, then, is a book for the criticized, especially the criticized pastor—and what pastor has never been criticized? But it is also a book for the critic—and who among us has never criticized a pastor? To minister to this situation, I know, has been, for Joel Beeke, “the burden of the Lord.” He has discharged it here— wisely, I think—in little less than two hundred easily read pages (including a helpful appendix written particularly for seminary students by his able coauthor, Nick Thompson).”

“Beeke and Thompson’s guide to receiving and responding to criticism is a wonderful gift for the church. From beginning to end it is personally informed, biblically framed, and Christ-centered. If you experience or fear opposition, this little volume is a must read. My only criticism of the book is that it was not published ten years ago.”

“This helpful book is a healing balm indicating how we may experience grace—that is, Omnipotence determined to sanctify—during the painful heat of hostility. Every minister and church leader would greatly profit from reading it.”

“Receiving just criticism humbly is very difficult. Receiving unjust criticism humbly is equally difficult. Every Christian will be subject to both, and pastors (because they are public figures) are not immune to either. This well-written book will prove lifesaving when the trials come (and come they will). Every pastor, seminarian, office-bearer, and leader will profit from the sound and practical advice given in these pages. I wish I had read this a half century ago.”

“What a helpful and encouraging book! While our culture conditions us to be overly sensitive, fragile, and defensive, Beeke and Thompson give rich biblical wisdom to fortify and prepare pastors for the inevitable criticism we all face. It should be added to the list of books all pastors and seminarians should read if they are to endure with joy and without bitterness.”

“As Dr. Beeke’s colleague for thirteen years, I’ve had the privilege of watching him live out this book in real time. I’ve learned from him how to respond to criticism better and also how to use it to become more Christlike.”

“This book is an invaluable tool for those engaged in the pressures and demands of ministry. Biblically sound, theologically solid, and personally applied, Pastors and Their Critics will be a lifeline for every pastor facing the many challenges of ministry.”

“I listened to Joel Beeke preaching on “Faithfulness in Dealing with Criticism” at the 2019 Shepherd’s Conference, and I said to myself, Wow, what a blessing! How I wish that sermon could be turned into a book. I would love to read it regularly and commend it to my pastoral friends. Well, that sermon—and much more—is what you have in this book. Criticism makes and breaks pastors more often than we would like to admit. Often what makes the difference is not the type of criticism itself—whether it is right or wrong—but how a pastor responds to it. This book will help you react to criticism in a biblical way, a way that builds you instead of destroying you. Throw it into your bag when you go on holiday and make it part of your essential reading. You will return to your pastoral ministry a renewed man!”

“Like every servant of Christ, I learned early that criticism is part of a minister’s labor. But the last few years have brought a level of criticism beyond anything I have ever experienced. In this torrent of controversy and pain, I was asked to review and endorse Pastors and Their Critics by Joel Beeke and Nick Thompson. My words here, however, will not be as much an endorsement as a public expression of gratitude to men who have served me so crucially. Their rich work provided comfort, encouragement, correction, and solace that few books ever have. It brought light into a dark season. Pastor, you need the correction and comfort in this book. It is required reading for every minister of the gospel.”

“From a biblical foundation and personal perspective, Beeke and Thompson give practical instructions as to how to handle and heal from the darts of criticism. The old aphorism says that ministers should practice what they preach; to do otherwise makes them hypocrites. It is equally true that ministers should preach what they have first of all practiced; to do otherwise makes them merely theorists. Pastors and Their Critics is not theory. The principles outlined are biblical, and they have been proven to work in experience.”

“As a young pastor, I received a letter of constructive but rather direct To be a pastor, especially in our time, is to be criticized. So how we respond to that criticism, how we process the criticism, how we keep from being defensive or even paralyzed by the criticism, and how we learn and grow from the criticism is all of great significance. We want to be neither despondent nor discouraged but entreatable and correctable. Furthermore, we should learn how to offer criticism in the most God-honoring and helpful way possible. I’m thankful for the hard thinking that has gone into these subjects in this book. I think it will help you as you try to develop ‘tough skin and a tender heart.’ criticism about my preaching from the person who had recommended my name to the pulpit committee of the church! To say that I was stung is to put it mildly. It hurt so badly, I filed it away after one reading and went on about my work. When I ran across the letter again, fifteen years into my ministry there, I realized that every word he said was right and helpful (though I am not sure that I would even have known how to follow his counsel until I had lived a little more life). But it did get me to thinking about criticism, and how to benefit from it and respond to it. This book would have been a help to me then, and will be to you now. ”

“Receiving criticism is tough. It adds weight to the cross each pastor is called to carry. Its threads are interwoven into every minister’s suit. So how can I deal with criticism in a Christlike way? Read this book. It is rich in the two critical ingredients for nurturing Christlike responses in our hearts, thoughts, and actions. It points us to the trainer and deals honestly with our required training. Our Lord Jesus is the trainer. Look to Him. Did people not call Him the chief of the devils? Did they not drive nails through His hands and feet as He prayed for them? Is this not worse than that which anyone ever called or did to you? And by His Spirit this trainer trains His servants in the gymnasium of criticism. We only mature through exercise, and most when it is painful. He must increase and I must decrease is tough for our pride but profitable for our Lord’s glory. I know one of the authors, my dear brother, who has been called to exercise in this gymnasium and taught by experience to look to and trust his heavenly trainer. This book is not abstract theory, but reflects the rich benefits of real-life training.”