The Top Ten Questions

A few weeks ago, a friendly teller at my bank asked me what I do for a living. When I replied that I am a pastor, he commented, "That must be a very rewarding profession!" He was right! Sure, there are frustrating and irritating moments in leading a church, but I'm sure that even professional golfers and Hollywood movie stars have to endure occasional personality clashes and difficult days as well. Beyond annoyances like that, I enjoy preaching and teaching the Word of God; I get a lot of satisfaction offering counsel and encouragement; I love the staff members I've been called to lead; and I even get a kick out of growing people through ministry tasks and committee meetings.

Then there are all those questions! People make appointments to come by the office. On other occasions, they drop in or buy me lunch. Sometimes, Bible Study classes dispatch their teacher to get my take on a major issue. And finally, there are emails, telephone calls, conversations in the corridor, and even notes left in the offering plates.

Over the last year, the questions have ranged from the very practical to the very theological. Some have been rather unique, but many have turned up time and again in one form or another. So as 2011 gets underway, I thought you might enjoy reading the ten most frequent questions from 2010.

10. Why shouldn't a young man and woman move in together if they are engaged and committed to be married?

9. Where did Cain meet his wife?

8. If tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament, why do we still teach it?

7. How can I know when my child is old enough to be baptized?

6. How can I convince my spouse to come to church with me?

5. Don't some Bible verses suggest you can lose your salvation?

4. Why should I be baptized again if I was christened as a child in a Christian church?

3. How can a loving God justify sending innocent people to Hell forever?

2. How can you share your faith with coworkers who may be offended and report you for harassment?

1. Can unbelievers be condemned for rejecting Jesus if they never heard the Gospel in the first place?

Those are the most frequent questions that came my way during the last 12 months. If you'd like to know the answers, check in next week at this space.

Selah.