I was talking with my friend George about the tendency of some people to believe they have a divine mission to assess and judge sermons and share their conclusions with you uninvited. She told me this story, which might inspire others in pastoral circles.
One Monday morning at 5:00 a.m., his pastor Steve's phone rings. It's someone, John, let's say, who wants to give him his opinion on Sunday's sermon. He takes his time analyzing and dissecting the message, firmly expressing his disagreement on several points. He's vociferous and talkative. Steve listens.
The next day, John's phone rings at 3:30 a.m. It's Steve, the pastor. He tells him he wants to thank him for his call the day before, that he's been thinking about the points raised since then, and would like to discuss them at length with him. John protests, arguing the time and his need for sleep because he works in the morning; at which point, Steve, feigning surprise, reminds him that he had indeed called him at 5 a.m. and insists on discussing his criticisms at length. John, of course, hasn't done it again.
