The Blessing of Criticism

image from here

I've been doing some thinking recently about how, in a culture where challenging the status quo is either de rigeur or utterly unthinkable, the concept of 'criticising' someone or something (usually an idea, rather than a person) is difficult for some. On that thorny topic of sexuality, Ice Cream, Starbucks and Chick-a-Fil-a, I wrote a post a while ago where I quoted Rick Warren, and I reproduce it here again:

"Our culture has accepted two huge lies: the first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate"

It is the second point, which I've highlighted, that I want to focus on today. I think that very often church culture accepts unwittingly (or wittingly) ideas from culture, in a variety of ways, that may or may not be that helpful for the church. In some cases, it is virtually impossible to question leaders, ask hard questions, or disagree with different issues. A so-called 'culture of honour', for example, should not put anyone beyond criticism and challenge. I think the reality that Jesus calls to is to recognise disagreements where they exists. To recognise and discuss things that matter. To embrace criticism, and seek to think and pray through differences rather than ignore them, or pretend they don't exist.

Today sees the consecration of the first female bishop in the Church of England, Libby Lane. I've blogged (when Synod last voted 'no'...) before about how some see this state of affairs - some are celebrating, others keeping quiet, still others have left the Church of England over this, recently or earlier. This post isn't about that topic. But Lane, in an interview with the insightful Isobel Hardman of The Spectator last year, said this about disagreement, criticism, and challenges:

"I'm very happy to engage with robust... engagements... but, um, I would hate to get to a place where I thought I was always right or that I knew everything. So the fact that people disagree with me is actually a positive thing and it continues to help me learn to grow"

One might quibble with elements of, but the humility of this first female bishop (a bishop-elect at the time of the interview) is challenging. Personally, I think we will eventually arrive at a place where we are 'right', but that has more to do with heaven. We also all definitely believe some things are right - otherwise we wouldn't be Christians, or Anglicans, or Charismatics, or whatever we are. But the fundamental truth remains - disagreement is actually, can actually be, a positive thing.

Regular readers will know that my wife and I have recently (ish) moved to London, and we are enjoying being part of HTB, a well known church that is the home of the Alpha Course. The guy who is know one of the service pastors, Al Gordon, wrote a great short blog for Worship Central back in 2009. It has been sat in my bookmarks for a few years now! I'd encourage you to read the whole thing here, but some of his closing words resonate with me deeply;

"If you find yourself encountering criticism, take courage. If they're right, you'll grow from the experience, if they're wrong, you're taking a hit for Jesus: what a privilege! If you're unsure if they're right or wrong, then love and forgive extravagantly anyway, because we're in this together and when it's all over we all get to hang out for eternity"

I think Al nails it. If criticism comes, be thankful for it. Weigh it, consider it, take it seriously. Disagreement, even profound or seemingly un-informed disagreement, might just be something God is using to shape and sharpen you. Rather than seeing criticism as a negative, damaging thing, criticism is actually something that is a blessing. Not, perhaps, that obviously, and certainly not in the world's eyes, but according to the Jesus way, as He put it in Matthew 5:11-12;

"blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you"

______________________

I wonder what you think, though? Do let me know in the comments, or connect with me via Facebook or Twitter.

Update - for a meatier theological piece, try John Wimber's (a key founder of the Vineyard movement, and someone critiqued from all sides) 'Why I Respond to Criticism', which you can read here.

[A quick note - someone challenging or criticising you is not persecution in the sense that folk like Pastor Nadarkhani or those under ISIS have endured]