Tested by Praise

My non-fiction book, The Church Down the Street, was recently released on Amazon. In critiquing the book, a former worship leader said, “I imagine that it may have been challenging from time to time experiencing the variety of doctrinal beliefs, subcultural practices, leadership/governance hierarchies, and teaching ability/styles.  I think I might have been afraid of your frank assessment of my own worship leading and teaching styles had I been under the microscope.” I compare my reporting on various churches to dining at a five-star restaurant and going into the kitchen after the meal to talk to the chef. If I told him my meal was lukewarm, under-seasoned and lacked presentation he would be defensive. After all, he went to culinary school, he is credentialed and he is accustomed to praise. Similarly, today’s preachers become defensive to honest critique from laity. Proverbs said, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives” (Proverbs 27:21 NIV).