Every pastor knows the sting of criticism — sometimes it’s helpful, sometimes it’s ridiculous, and sometimes it’s downright harmful. In this episode, the Practically Pastoring crew share their wildest stories (yes, including “The Devil’s Deli”), break down the three buckets of feedback (helpful, misinformed, and harmful), and offer practical ways to filter feedback without losing your sanity.

Whether you’re navigating jeans critiques, worship song wars, or factionalism in leadership, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone — and that some criticism really does belong in the trash.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Cold open: The craziest feedback pastors get
• 1:00 – Why feedback stings but matters
• 2:00 – The “Devil’s Deli” letter: wildest church complaint ever
• 5:00 – Jeans, hymns, and checks for new clothes
• 7:00 – When feedback crosses into the personal
• 8:30 – The 3 buckets: helpful, misinformed, and harmful feedback
• 11:00 – Examples of truly helpful critique
• 15:00 – Worship wars & misinformed criticism
• 19:00 – Songwriting, licensing, and CCLI “witchcraft”
• 26:00 – The cultural gap behind church criticism
• 27:00 – Signs of toxic, harmful feedback (factionalism & power moves)
• 34:00 – Staff structure critiques and generational expectations
• 40:00 – Pain behind harmful feedback: what pastors often miss
• 44:00 – Why you need friends who aren’t impressed by you
• 49:00 – Lightning round: quick tips for processing feedback
• 51:30 – Final encouragement: thick skin, soft heart

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• Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practical-ly-pastoring/id1522043414
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• Website - PracticallyPastoring.com