Unwritten Assumptions

In the 3rd chapter of Mike's book, "Dangerous Wonder", he lists 4 assumptions that are made about questions and how these assumptions "neutrlize" our natural curiosity and our courage to ask questions.

The first of these is the the assumption that "questions can be embarrassing."

Here are my thoughts entertwined with some of Mike's words on this assumption:

Mike tells us that our culture teaches us that its embarrassing to admit we don't know something. People will think less of us, if we don't apprear to have all the answers. "In today's world, truth doesn't matter. Image does."

And what is 'funny' is that I experienced this first hand not long ago.

I recently started a new job at small, family owned, retail store. One of our main goals is excellent customer service. I whole-heartedly agree that goal should be a top priority of any business. During my first week, which is all orientation, learning the policies, all the normal stuff of starting a new job, etc. Anyway, I was helping a customer find what she was looking for, and I couldn't answer her question, so I said, "I don't know, but let me see what I can find out for you" (or something to that affect). Unknown to me, the manager was within ear shot of that conversation, and a few minutes later, I was informed that I should NEVER tell a customer "I don't know." "I don't know" doesn't boast well for business or for the customers confidence in the store or for the employees.

You know what? BULL!!!! Here is a perfect example of Mike Yaconelli's first assumption of how our culture drowns our curiosity. Personally I am not at all embarrassed to say "I don't know" nor am I upset or look down on someone else who says "I don't know." Actually, I have more respect for those who have the guts to admit that they don't have all the answers all the time. I love it when pastors can admit from the pulpit that they don't have all the answers; that they too struggle with their faith and with all the hardships in life.

To go back to the store example for a minute, when I worked for another retail store not long ago, there were many things that I had no clue about and I admitted it out right. But, I always told the customer, "I don't know, but I will either find out or I will find one of our other associates that can answer that question for you." Want to know what I found most of the time, the customer was not put off by my lack of knowledge, they were satisfied that I would take the time to help them find the answer or to find someone else who could help them. Sure I could have just said "I don't know" and left them hanging and walk away, but that's not customer service. I truly believe that when we are not willing to admit we don't know and try to make it look like we do, we do a lot more harm than good. That is what is really embarrassing and that is what hypocrosy is really all about. The Church has spent far too many years pretending to have all the answers about God and life, etc. Just like I mentioned in my last blog, doctrines, sets of rules and belief and list of do and don'ts tell us what to believe and think about God and the Church. All the answers can be found in this or that book or statement of beliefs. And questions are squelched and drowned out. And we are left with generations of religious people who wouldn't know who Jesus really was even if He walked up to them and hit the up side the head with a 2x4.

And one more thing, just like in the store I work out now, its not about truth that really matters, its image. And my arguement would be: be truthful and honest. Admitting that we really don't know everyting speaks much more about our image and our integrity than faking our knowledge level ever will.

So what am I telling the customers I help in this new place of employment? I tell them the truth. If I don't know, I admit it. But I also tell them that I will find out or I will find someone who can answer their question. And I will let my integrity speak for itself. And if I get fired over it. So what!!! I will not lie just because someone else thinks image and making money are more important than being truthful with people.