Where have all the good questions gone?
I was recently asked what I thought was the biggest issue in Church leadership today. I could have said a number of things, but after some thought, I think it is the inability to theologically reflect and ask questions about why, what and how we are doing the things we are doing (or not doing).
I have great hope for the future of the church; however, I often don’t hear good theological reflection to go alongside of our new methodologies. Instead, more often than not, I simply hear that it is working (a.k.a. people are coming).
Shouldn’t our methodologies stem from our theology? Shouldn’t we be asking more evaluative questions than “are people coming?” Shouldn’t we be also asking: “Is it right?” “Does it align with our theology (Christology, Ecclessiology, Missiology, etc.)?” or even “Is it good?” If these questions are important and vital, then why don’t I hear them being asked or answered more?
Maybe we are just so afraid of missing the “next big thing” that we forget the imperative to theologically reflect on what we doing or not doing? Or, maybe in the recent trend to move theological institutions to more technical schools, we have forgotten to train our leaders on how to ask deep questions (focusing on the how at the expense of the why)?
Anyway…just some thoughts…what do you think?
What do I think? I agree. Bang on. Good question. I find it incredibly uninspirational to have to worship in a theological vaccuum.
good luck doing a question a day! wow.
I agree, theological vacuums suck the inspiration out of everything.
They are also dangerous. I was in a worship service recently (at unnamed church and denomination – we have visited enough church’s lately it is anonymous) where the pastor leading communion said he was bored of the way it was always done, so instead we “toasted Jesus.” Danger Will Robinson, Danger. I am all in for creativity but in a theological vacuum, it is always dangerous.
Toasted Jesus, eh? You can’t make that stuff up.
Anyways, I think most people are scared of questions because they aren’t sure what the answers will end up doing to their life.
I know I am…
So, ask away!
Toasting Jesus was interesting to say the least and it was obvious that the pastor was thinking on the spot about the communion meditation (which says something by itself).