We recently tried a new church close to my office. Everything about it was terrific except for one thing: the volume of the music.

I was a rock jock in college and I can say the music level at the church was painful. My wife and mother-in-law were offered earplugs, and that still didn’t make the music bearable.

I sent a diplomatic email to the church complimenting them on all the positives but said that even with earplugs, we couldn’t attend because of the sound level.

The response went something like this: “Next time try the earplugs.”

It was obviously a form response.

Helpful, personalized feedback deserves more than a form. The response doesn’t have to be long or even make concessions, but it should do three things:

1. Let the provider of the feedback know that they were heard and understood.
2. Express appreciation for making time to provide the feedback.
3. Address the situation. And that might mean admitting that the desired changes can’t be made, but if you can, explain why.

I was disappointed that whoever responded didn’t take time to do so thoughtfully in the manner described above.

It is a great church despite the loud music, but I feel like I wasted my effort to provide useful feedback.