In this episode, Reverend Lovejoy leaves after a new minister joins the church while Marge tracks down her wedding dress with Lisa.
Homer accepts, but Bart starts to miss all father-son time with him, and turns to Ned Flanders who is still angry and devastated after Lovejoy left.
However, Lisa manages to track down the dress's whereabouts: after being retrieved from the trash and being used during a production of Mamma Mia!, it was sold to an engaged couple during a bankruptcy sale.
Club gave the episode a B, saying "The two things that are still usually enjoyable in the show’s 24th season are musical numbers and stories about Springfield under siege.
"[4] Rob H. Dawson of TV Equals said "Is ‘Pulpit Friction’ the first time a couch gag has led directly into the plot of an episode on The Simpsons?
I don’t have an encyclopedic knowledge of the series, but it certainly feels unique; And the opening segment, all stemming from that broken couch, is a lot of fun.
"[5] Teresa Lopez of TV Fanatic gave the episode three out of five stars, saying "Other than a rather useless subplot involving Marge's missing wedding dress, this week's installment was fairly enjoyable with some great The Simpsons quotes.