Can You Critique The Church?

I was reading Josh Carroll’s post about the disease called “Critiqueomania” and I found that I myself have had rather severe bouts of this plague. Some of these outbreaks have been part of my former angst, but others seemed very well meant. Some were definitely “Critiqueomania,” but there were other times where my criticism was well founded and was not coming from a place of pride or scholarly arrogance. So what do you do if it seems like there is an area for the Church to improve in? Can you critique the Church?

I would like to propose that there are two spheres of Church. There is an objective sphere—what actually is i.e. the reality of the thing. There is also a Spiritual sphere—the acting of God’s people as animated and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The objective sphere of Church is able to be critiqued, and often should be.  The sermon can be judged as a mere lecture. The worship is simply music. The church event is just like any other social event. There are things that were done well, and there are things that need to be improved upon. Often, it is in the objective sphere that the church fails or falters.

The Spiritual sphere of the Church is not able to be critiqued, but often is. The sermon is not a mere lecture, for it is the medium by which God speaks to his Church. The worship is not simply music, for it is the word preached and prayed by the Church. The church event is not just like any other social event, for it is spiritual family engaging in community. These ministries (and others) are executed by the Holy Spirit as He works in and with His people. It is in the spiritual sphere that the Church, with all of her “objective” faults and failures, is made beautiful.

This past summer I worked at a church that was much different than my previous church experience. By different, I mean opposite. Their philosophy of ministry, their worship style, and even parts of their theology were drastically different from what I have experienced at other churches. There were certainly opportunities to critique this church in many different areas.

One small example was the worship music at this church. I am a little biased as I have been wonderfully blessed by all of the music that came out of Mars Hill Church, but this music style was pretty old. It was essentially a mix up of Old Chris Tomlin, Phil Wickham, Old Hillsong, and a bunch of random 80s-90s praise songs. I’m not saying that this is bad, but musically, this isn’t exactly cutting edge. On top of that, the professionalism of this band was not up to par with the latest rock band. There were plenty of missed notes and awkward silence.

In the Objective sphere, I am in the right by pointing out the shortcomings. I cannot pretend that they are slaying “Blessed Be your Name” or playing “Cannons” like never before. They aren’t, and it isn’t wrong to suggest new songs or new styles. As long as I do it in a respectful way, I am not suffering from Josh’s “Critiqueomania” when I offer advice or notice things that could be better. Instead, I am offering helpful input that could improve the “objective” sphere of that particular ministry. Too much of this however does become unhelpful and can hurt people.

In the Spiritual sphere, I have no right to critique. If the Spirit is working in people’s lives, than what gives me the right to question Him and His methods? This summer, I was able to step back and simply observe this church worship. Two Spheres were able to be seen, but it was the Spiritual one that shone brighter. In this sphere, the old Chris Tomlin style/80’s praise music style was the exact type of music and worship that the Spirit was working through. Despite all of my critiques, the entire congregation was worshiping Jesus. Arms were raised, Hands were clapping, and some were even crying. This worship was beautiful because it was the worship that the Spirit was ministering through.

So can you critique the Church? It depends on what exactly you are critiquing. Music style? Chair placement? Food at the potluck? Sure. Go for it. However, I would argue that it is best to focus primarily on the spiritual sphere of the Church so as to not be overcome with “Critiqueomania” and miss what the Spirit is accomplishing.