Thanks for your comments. We probably differ on a few things, but I agree with you 100% that pastors and other leaders "should be questioned and evaluated continually."

As you said, we're told even to test the spirits.

I think of what Paul says in I Thessalonians 5:20-22: "Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."

In NO way am I suggesting that people in church should just buy into everything the pastor says or does. As I said in my article, pastors who are heretical, abusive, or corrupt should be removed.

I'm just saying (as you yourself said at the end of your post) that too often "petty criticisms" overwhelm churches, and that's something we all need to avoid.