Questions

As I am in my first days as Interim Senior Pastor at the First Christian Church in Burlington, Iowa, I am definitely the new guy in town. As the new guy, I find myself asking a lot of questions. Where to find things; who to talk to about something; where to get my hair cut; the best place to buy gas; who is your doctor; how do you do things around here and the list goes on and on.

Asking questions reminds me of when my youngest son, David, was a toddler. He could ask a thousand questions a day – day after day after day after day... On the first day of a visit with us my dear, sweet (I am not kidding she really was.) mother-in-law caught me saying to David in response to his millionth question of the day, “Shut up, David.” She drew me aside and quietly admonished me to not do that. She was afraid, she said, I would stunt his curiosity. I had to smile when, three days into the visit, I heard her say to David, after three long days of fielding his questions, “Hush, David.”

So, I know that repeatedly being asked questions can be very irritating. But I have also learned that we must constantly question ourselves; both our motives and our methods, if we are going to get any better at what we are trying to do and make any progress. As a growing Christian I am constantly questioning what I do and why I am doing it. Those questions have led me to some very surprising answers and brought some great changes into my life.

Jesus was a questioner. He spent a large part of His ministry asking questions as He sought to have people come to understand the reality of God in their lives. One example is an exchange between Jesus and the disciple Philip. We read it in John 14:8-9. Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” ⁹Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’

I tell you all of that to let you know that you will often hear me asking questions. I am not trying to be irritating. (I can do that without ever really trying. J) I am hoping to help us make good and godly decisions about how to move forward in God’s mission for the First Christian Church of Burlington, Iowa. Are we doing the best we can to fulfill the Great Commission in the place where God has called us to be His ministers and missionaries?

My most repeated question is “Why?” If we are going to do something – a program or a ministry – we must ask why we are doing or should be doing that particular ministry. We must look at what we are already doing and ask why. Is what we are doing the best investment of our resources – time, talents, energy and money? All of these resources come in limited supplies. Are we using what God has given us to the best advantage of fulfilling his mission for this church? We must constantly ask these questions and we must answer these questions honestly. Frankly, that is often a difficult and challenging task. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” As powerful and freeing as the truth can be, sometimes I am not that interested in it.

Join me in asking ourselves and God: “How can we do this thing we call church better, in ways that help glorify God and increase the Kingdom of God?”

Copyright (c) 2012, William T. McConnell, All Rights Reserved