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Monday, September 19, 2005
The Dumb Questions and the People Who Ask Them
Have you ever heard the expression, "No question is a dumb question"? I take issue with that... I think some questions really are dumb. Like...
After they make Styrofoam, what do they ship it in?
Are you telling the truth if you lie in bed?
What happens if you get scared half to death, ...twice?
Ahhh... dumb questions. If you've been in the ministry long, I'm sure you've heard your share of dumb questions. They usually happen in board meetings and leadership meetings (sometimes even staff meetings!).
Any many times, we know exactly who will be asking the 'dumb questions'; and even what they will ask.
There has to be something that we can learn from these questions and their 'askers'... but what in the world could that be?!
Joy Emery, in an article at Lifeway.com writes...
I have often been part of leadership meetings in which individuals were given new information and then asked if they had any questions. Typically everyone knows who the "Question Asker" will be. The "Question Asker" doesn't fear the ridicule of his peers rolling their eyes as he begins his barrage of questions. In fact, his supervisor has made it clear that the only dumb question is the one that someone around the table doesn't ask.
We can learn the following from the "Question Asker":
- Some risks are worth taking. The "Question Asker" willingly risks the short-term ridicule and badgering from peers in order to clarify the new information. The clarification leads to more productive work and fewer errors.
- Clarification on the spot is better than the rumor mill that follows. The "Question Asker" doesn't risk peer interpretation of the information revealed. He goes right to the source of the new information. He has probably experienced the result of conjecture and has chosen not to allow faulty peer interpretation after the meeting and misinterpretation to cloud his work and performance.
- Upfront answers save time and money. No one likes to do things twice. If you are not clear regarding expectations, your best bet is to clear things up before beginning your work. If you often get caught without completing projects up to your supervisor's expectations, you might begin to see how more questions might save you both time and money.
If you have never been one to step out and ask questions in a group setting, but often feel frustrated when you are not clear regarding expectations, then try these steps to become a "Question Asker":
- Set a goal to ask one appropriate question at your next group, department, or company meeting. Focus on the person you direct your question to and avoid focusing on your peers.
- If speaking in large groups intimidates you, hang around after the meeting and get clarification on the spot. If the person giving the information doesn't have time to meet following the presentation, ask if you can email your question, set up an appointment for a personal meeting at a later time, or see if there is someone else you can meet with who can answer your questions.
- Always take a note pad and record both information given and your comments or questions as you go. Often in meetings, you think of a question on the spot, but by the end of the presentation, you have forgotten your concerns. If you begin to list your thoughts and comments as you go, you will have a clearer picture of what is expected and better formulate your questions.
You can read the whole article here at Lifeway.com...
FOR DISCUSSION: How do you deal with the 'dumb questions'? What's the dumbest question you've ever been asked in ministry? What's the dumbest question YOU'VE every asked?
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Comments
Remember, there are no dumb questions; there are only dumb people.
Posted by: Geoff Surratt | Sep 19, 2005 10:21:35 AM
My opinion of dumb questions are questions asked right after someone else asked the same question. For example the same person that asks the question that did not pay attention to the previous question... that is my view of a dumb question. The question itself may not be dumb but if you have questions you should also listen to others that have questions and if your question is answered dont ask it again... it just becomes a waste of time and it is dumb not to listen to other questioners.
Posted by: Peter | Sep 19, 2005 10:29:28 AM
I make a living from asking questions, so I proceed with the mindset that if I need an answer, the question can't be dumb. Dumb answers, however, seem to be abundant. :)
Posted by: Anthony D. Coppedge | Sep 19, 2005 10:38:56 AM
Todd
You started that article with great concern from me. You made a joke of "dumb" qusetions by sighting JOKE type questions.
The article, on the other hand was very good as it concerns "expectations" and the resulting lack of right information when your "expectations" are out of balance with what is expected or desired.
As a Pastor, I learned very early in my ministry that "ANGER" is a direct result of UN-FULLFILLED expectations that one has for others or organizations.
For example, POLITICS has at it's foundation politicians who provide the voters with expectations as a platform for vote getting but never (or at best rarely) deliver on their promises. The result is angry constituents who expect more.
I certainly liked the article but was very concerned with the way you started it.
If we look at those who have limitations with their ability to think through things, we should be respectful enough to understand that there ar no dumb questions. I have learned through years of experience, when someone does not know something (as evident as it may be to others) -- IT IS NOT A DUMB QUESTION!
Posted by: Bill | Sep 19, 2005 12:37:08 PM
There is a difference between dumb questions and obvious questions. Dumb questions are the ones that are nonsensical (you talk about your upcoming series on creation and someone ask you if you will address whether on the deep theological issue of whether not Adam had a belly button), or are ask as a result of someone not paying attention (immediately after you present your detailed three step plan for addressing the churches parking problem someone ask you “what are we going to do about the lack of parking”).
Obvious questions on the other hand are the ones that sometimes need to be ask. They only seem “dumb” if someone has already thought of and addressed the issue. Sometimes things are so obvious that everyone misses it and later everyone thinks “why didn’t someone say something.” The reason they did not say something is because they did not want to look silly and loose face for asking a “dumb” question. I find this happens quite often with teams that are working so closely on a project that they miss things that are obvious to everyone else. This is where an outside person coming in and asking the “dumb” or obvious questions comes in. I suggest to all teams that they have someone from outside the group, who has a basic understanding of what is they are trying to accomplish, come in look over the project to give them the freedom to ask the “dumb” questions. Every now and then the dumb question is not so dumb and winds up saving the church a lot of time, energy and money.
Posted by: Bard | Sep 19, 2005 1:11:48 PM
What?
Posted by: KK | Sep 19, 2005 1:56:14 PM
Thank you, Rev. William W. Worthen for illustrating the point...
Posted by: mcf | Sep 19, 2005 2:04:42 PM
If you scare the hell out of someone shouldn't they be thankful?
Posted by: Jay | Sep 19, 2005 2:40:29 PM
I have asked the Lord so many dumb questions through the years that I am amazed He has never called me "dumb." ANY question posed to God would have to be dumb (given omniscience and all.) I have always been quite put off by those who consider themselves smart and have posed questions to me while "acting" dumb. I always TRY to imitate God's patience with my ignorance and His tolerance of my stupidity by looking at every HONEST question as a good one.
Posted by: Dr. Kermit P. Soileau | Sep 19, 2005 2:44:36 PM
It is true that there are no dumb questions. There are however a lot of inquisitive idiots.
Posted by: Mike Gundy | Sep 19, 2005 3:04:05 PM
I like the point about "the dumb answers are abundant".
Take for example the statement:
STUDIES ON TUESDAY FROM 10:30am TILL NOON, HERE WE TEACH BIBLE WITH OUT ANY DOCTORINES WHAT SO EVER & AND OUR CROWDS ARE GROWING FOR EACH PRESENTATION.
No doctrines huh? So what are you "teaching"? Of course maybe THIS is why the "crows are growing for each presentation" (afterall, god must be in it if the numbers are growing).
How do you deal with the 'dumb questions'?
The majority of questions are not dumb but sometimes the motive behind it is.
What's the dumbest question you've ever been asked in ministry?
A pastor asking what verse is John 3:16
What's the dumbest question YOU'VE every asked?
What is a Thermo ......... meter. Most people would call it a TherMOMeter.
Posted by: BeHim | Sep 19, 2005 3:25:45 PM
This reminds me of a story about a preacher who must have assumed the question asked by a young girl after his children's sermon was rather dumb. The 9 year old girl asked, "Preacher, Do animals go to heaven?" To which the preacher gave a long drawn out theological response about human beings having souls and being differentiated from the animals etc., etc.....when he finally finished, he looked at the girl for some sort of reassurance that she had comprehended what he was talking about. To which the young girl responded...."Well preacher, if there are no animals in heaven, then why does the Bible say that Jesus will be coming back...RIDING ON A WHITE HORSE.......
Posted by: Rev. Andy Bond | Sep 19, 2005 4:06:35 PM
Ask the tough questions. Ask the right questions, and by all means ask the clarification questions. It's the meeting derailing, uninformed, wasn't paying attention, more concerned about my own peer acceptance and attention getting questions that I would call dumb. Dumb as in; I am unable to speak (deaf & dumb) with insight or articulate a solid opinion on the topic dumb. Not mentally unable. We all have had those moments. I would rather stay silent and be percieved as a wiseman.
Posted by: James Wheeler | Sep 20, 2005 7:16:02 PM
I've heard, "There is no such thing as a dumb question...it might avoid a dumb mistake." A great study - and sermon or class series - is based on questions Jesus asked. My wife did the research on that and came up with a quarter's worth of lessons (13) in a book titled, "What Will Your Answer Be?" Aristotle didn't invent the teaching method based on question asking.
Bob Mize, Texas
Posted by: Bob Mize | Sep 22, 2005 9:51:34 AM
LOL. To me, a dumb question is one that someone asks because they don't feel like doing the work to find the answer themselves. In other words, the only dumb question is a LAZY question!
Posted by: Boom234 | Sep 24, 2005 4:06:24 PM
One time, during a pastoral search interview, we allowed the church to submit questions to the pastoral candidate about his life, experiences, etc. What we experienced next was unbelievable...
(We are an assembly of God church, keep in mind.)
The questions that rolled in were like this:
1) Are you a saint? Also, name 7 acts that you've performed which prove your sainthood.
2) Do you go to movie houses and watch tv?
3) Are you truly sanctified?
4) Are you going to use wordly examples during your messages, because that not what Jesus wants?
Now, not only are these questions stupid, but they are a true litmus test for how much our congregation understands where the a/g stands on issues...obviously...they don't understand at all.
The genious part of this whole thing though, is how the candidate answered these. He looked out in the crowd and said, I'm not going to answer these, these are ridiculous (awesome), then he mistakedly said, my only goal in the ministry is to empty heaven and fill up hell. Absolutely hilarious.
Posted by: masterpat | Sep 27, 2005 10:26:08 AM
