Anonymous letters.
Correspondence signed simply, “concerned.”
All preachers have received them. I’ve had a handful through the years. And believe me, they are never notes of encouragement.
What are they then? Honest attempts at constructive criticism? Perhaps. Latent passive-aggression? Probably. Signs of cowardice? Possibly.
One thing they are not: helpful.
Most of us preachers don’t mind if people disagree with a decision the church makes or a direction it takes. And we also don’t mind engaging in conversation about exactly those issues.
But of course you can’t dialog with those who don’t identify themselves.
So whether you are dealing with someone in pastoral ministry at your church or in upper management at your job, if you have an idea worth sharing, you have a name worth providing.