The important thing is not to stop questioning. – Albert Einstein

Recently I had a great conversation with new Christian. After explaining the cross and the gospel in simple terms, he asked, “Why don’t more Christians talk like you do?” I think he was referring to the fact that I talk about biblical truth from the standpoint that I, myself, am struggling to understand it. I usually don’t have the final word on a subject; I’m in process, and I’m letting others in on the process and asking them questions to get them engaged.

I then launched into a long dissertation on the value of questions and of letting people think for themselves and come up with their own conclusions. Except that I violated my own advice. This is one of my favorites topics; I’ve spoken on it numerous times; so I have lots of information at my fingertips, and I let him have it, both barrels.

I talked about how Jesus taught by asking questions, not by giving answers. I talked about the Bereans, whom Paul commended for checking him out to see if what he was saying agreed with the scriptures. I talked about 1 John where John says we have no need for a teacher because the Holy Spirit teaches us, and how leaders of Christians need to have more trust in the intelligence and Holy Spirit in the people they lead. I talked about not telling everybody everything, but leaving room for their own thinking and their own conclusions. I talked about the Book of Job and how God “answered” Job’s over 200 questions with 78 more questions.

I then told him about Muriel, our eighty-something Catch member who wrote that the other people in her Bible class complain about how she asks too many questions and slows everything down, and how I told her to keep on asking; in fact, ask until they throw you out. Make a nuisance of yourself. They’re not interested in the answers or else they’d be asking, too. And I told him about the Doonesbury cartoon where a college professor was shocked to find a student who was actually thinking for himself instead of just taking down the prof’s words: “And I thought you were all stenographers.” Then when I had finally exhausted the subject, I thanked him for getting me onto my favorite topic.

But now, as I write about this, I realize that in telling him all about the questioning process, I failed to pay attention to the very thing I was talking about. I failed to ask him any questions. I violated my own point. I told him everything I knew about the questioning process. I proceeded to fill his head with a large amount of knowledge and experience that was mine, not his. As good as it might have been, I didn’t involve him in the process. I didn’t do the very thing I was advocating. I need to practice more asking and less telling. If we’re going to walk and talk with people, we need to get better with the questions than with the answers.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Toward making informed decisions to drive the ministry’s growth and success, Marti and I will take the week of August 26 out of the office to focus on planning (“working retreat”). This will allow us to step away from the daily routine, isolate ourselves from distractions, and engage in strategic brainstorming, goal-setting, and team-building activities. 

The following week, we will take a much-needed break to help recharge, refocus, and make informed decisions to drive the previous week’s planning process. 

During this time, the day-to-day operations of the Catch will be in the capable hands of our Associate Pastor, Wayne Bridegroom, our Prayer ministry Pastor, Cynthia Cody Vera and our Director of Discipleship, John Shirk. All three will also be sharing the responsibility of writing Catches during this time. You will enjoy their unique perspectives.