Matt's Muzings
The Freedom to Question
November, 2007 Volume 9, Issue 81
I spoke at a church in Malaysia recently on asking questions. More specifically, about God who asks questions and how important questions are to leadership.
After the service a man came up to me and said, “May I encourage you to talk to the leaders that they must allow those under them to ask question’s, without that, people won’t feel the freedom to do this.”
I thought I had said that in my message but it must not have been clear. I have been thinking about it and I turned to my Bible to look at how Jesus modeled this. He is the ultimate leader who encouraged and desired questions.
This is some of what I found.
The disciples were free to ask him anything about his teaching and he explained everything to them (Mark 4:10-34). When they are afraid for their lives in a storm on a boat they wake him up and say, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38) There is no shyness there on behalf of the disciples.
Let’s look at their response to him in another verse as they almost imply he doesn’t know what he is talking about and Jesus doesn’t react to their comment:
Mark 5:30 ... (Jesus asked) ‘Who touched me?’ “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’
Jesus worked hard to give the disciples freedom to question him. He wanted the dialogue and interactive communication. He was not aloof and there is no place I can see where there is any hint that he was above being questioned. The very opposite seems obvious as the disciples seem to have the freedom to ask or talk about anything with him.
Peter is so comfortable with this freedom to question that at one point when Jesus talks of his coming death, Peter pulls Jesus aside and began to rebuke him.
Jesus responded strongly to the content of what Peter said, but even at that moment there is no sense of Jesus cutting him off or trying to limit the questions or communication of those following him. When the disciples seem stuck or are talking about things they don’t want Jesus to hear, He asks them what they were talking about. He encourages them to ask, question or talk about anything that is troubling or even of interest to them.
Compare this with many of us as leaders today. I was talking with a friend and he mentioned that in his leadership meeting at a large ministry that it was almost seen as a sign of disloyalty to question the leader. It seems, to question the leader was clearly (albeit silently) discouraged.
Jesus himself was Immanuel, God among us, and his desire and work was to create a culture and environment where questions and dialogue about any topic was not just allowed but it seems strongly encouraged.
The leader creates the culture out of which all those who follow him live and work. That is a key responsibility for leadership. Jesus created an environment where asking questions and dialogue was encouraged. Even to the place where his followers felt the freedom to rebuke him.
How are you doing with those who follow you? Can they raise questions, discuss and explore areas they don’t understand? Do you encourage them to ask questions and even ask them questions when they are silent but you know they have something to say?
This is the work of the kingdom of God. A God who starts out dealing with us in a fallen world by asking us questions, expects us to do the same with those we are leading. We are to serve them in this way.
I know it is scary, terrifying at times, but it is a life of vulnerability and freedom we offer to those as we bear the image of God in our leadership.
May God richly bless you,
Matt & Celia Rawlins
Family Matters:
Matt: I would really appreciate your prayers for wisdom and opportunities to open up in Singapore. It has been hard to open doors of ministry and work here. I am in Indonesia next week at a DTS with some good friend Rob and Ria in Salatiga.
Celia: We had a busy time in Kona. It was a working trip, Matt taught in the Compassion DTS and I made numerous trips to the store to pick out paint colors, as we (actually Matt) repainted our condo. We have it on the market to sell. It is a beautiful and restful home that was a joy to be in while we were there this time but have sensed we are to sell it. If you know of someone interested in a condo near the University of the Nations Kona, let us know or go to www.cooldigs.com under featured listings. We appreciate your prayers for the right buyer.
Josh: He is doing well. He has survived the transition and cold. He is doing great work on a house they are fixing up and I had a great time with him for two days there in Oregon.
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