In an era where strong leadership is emphasized and we are enthralled with leadership conferences, books, mentoring, etc. when did we lose the idea that it is perfectly acceptable to not know something? Have we become so engrossed with how to be the perfect leader that we forget that we don't (and cannot) know everything? Is it so important that leaders show strength without even the hint of weakness that we fail to recognize that there are people out there that might know more than I do about something? Or have we drank our own Kool-Aid so much that we think we are actually that smart?
I watch leaders, specifically pastors, struggle with this frequently. That is my world after all. In seminary pastors are taught theology, evangelism, church history, Greek, Hebrew, Missiology, Eschatology, and they are all very important topics. But what they are not taught is the intricacies of lighting, sound technology, how to run a staff meeting, the dangers of micro-managing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, auto mechanics, etc. Why do I bring this up? When I want spiritual advice I seek a pastor. When I want mechanical advice about my car I seek a mechanic. I doubt very seriously that a mechanic would want to explain the Pauline Epistles to me, and I certainly don't want to hear most pastors tell me about the internal combustion engine and how to fix it. While I realize that there are exceptions to this rule, the generalization is usually correct. So why do pastor's specifically think they can weigh in on subjects they are not familiar with?
When it comes to church work I remember the statement by Dr. D. James Kennedy in his popular Evangelism Explosion. In a section about dealing with questions and diversions, he made the statement along the lines of, It is ok to not have an answer for every question. Simply say, "I don't know, but I will look into that and get back with you." then return to the witnessing effort. I try to live by this rule in most areas of life, not just witnessing or Bible questions. The problem is that when pride gets in the way of a leader, we think we need to be the subject matter experts in all things. This is an exceptionally bad idea.
I have a good friend who is an exceptionally smart man. He is in his mid 80's and has lived an amazing life, picking up an abundance of skills. If he doesn't know something, he says so. If someone says, "that's easy" he responds with "so is flying and landing an airplane, but I've been trained to do so." The point is that if you know how to do something of course it is easy. It is the things that we don't know how to do that are difficult. If we persist in doing the difficult things there may be great reward, there may be great learning and growth, but it can also bring frustration, unnecessary difficulties, extra time and money spent and can even end with a call to a subject matter expert. Don't ask me how I know that.
The problem is that in most churches today there is so much pressure for the pastor to be everything to everyone at all times. We are afraid to let someone down, or we are afraid that we will tarnish our reputation, or even lose our jobs.
When we are approached with a question or situation that we don't know about, why don't we say "I don't know, but I'll look into that and get back with you" or "Let's find someone who knows something about this." This isn't weak leadership, it isn't passing the buck, it isn't a mark laziness, it is being honest. When we are honest about what we don't know, not only does it save us time and money, it makes us look better to those we lead.
The problem is the word Ignorance. Now, you can be willfully ignorant, meaning that you refuse to learn something or even entertain the idea; that is truly bad. But ignorance itself is just a lack of knowledge. If you are ignorant of plumbing it is an opportunity to learn, and as long as you learn something you don't stay ignorant. Passing a plumbing issue off to a plumber isn't a problem, he has been trained to fly and land that plane, and yes, it can be cheaper. (don't ask) Neither is seeking knowledge of plumbing for yourself to use down the road. The problem is when you are ignorant of a subject and think you can handle it anyways, or pass yourself off as a subject matter expert. Nothing is gained here but heartache and pain, maybe some learning of tough lessons.
If you find yourself in a situation (pastor) where you are not knowledgeable of a subject be that Biblical or otherwise, it is ok. Seek someone that has the knowledge, defer to their expertise, learn what you can from them, and save yourself some difficulties in the present and later on. If it is lighting, sound, staff meeting, or church plumbing, its ok to not be the smartest guy in the room. Its ok to back out and let someone else that has the appropriate knowledge lead for a bit, because if my plane is going down because the pilot is incapacitated, I'll never ask "Is there a pastor on board the plane?"
Be humble!
Written to the Pastor in the Mirror.
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