Have you ever noticed how often Jesus asked leading questions? "Is it lawful," he asked of his opponents in the synagogue, "to heal on the Sabbath day?" "What do you read in the scriptures?" he asked of the rich young man seeking eternal life. To the lawyer who enquired, "Who is my neighbour?" he replied with the story of the Good Samaritan then faced him with the challenge: "So who was neighbour to the man who fell among thieves?" When he asked his disciples what was the buzz concerning his identity they gave a variety of answers. He then put them on the spot by asking directly. "But who do you say that I am?" 

Jesus used questions in a variety of ways: a) to make people examine cherished assumptions and unthinking prejudices, b) to take them further on their faith journey as with the two on the road to Emmaus. c) to force people to make a decision as to where they stood in relation to him. "Do you love me?" he asks Peter at the lakeside.

Living with questions is an uncomfortable but essential part of growth. From time to time Christians need to take a spiritual check up by asking questions about their prayer life, relationships and lifestyle. Doing this helps us to focus on those areas that need to be developed. The questions, however, need to be challenges not accusations. Their purpose is to encourage not crush. That is why we need to let Jesus through the Holy Spirit ask them. After all he knows us, loves us and wants us to grow. How do we do this? One way is through meditation on a gospel passage. Look at one of the well known parables, for example, the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son in Luke 15, or an encounter story, e.g. the woman at the well, John 4, or Peter at the lakeside John 21, or if you are very brave let the Sermon on the Mount speak to you. Another way is to find a spiritual director, or soul friend. I have found both these methods immensely helpful. However be warned, spiritual inventories require time, space and obedience!

Churches need spiritual inventories as well. Archdeacons rightly are very keen on holding an annual inspection to ensure that the fabric, goods and ornaments of the church are in good condition, that accounts and records are properly kept, and that the clergy, church wardens and PCC are faithfully discharging their duties. Discrepancies and failures in these areas can be indicators of a spiritual malaise, but it is equally possible to pass the Archdeacon’s test and be lacking as a church. Read the Inspector’s report for the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2 and 3. What is he looking for? Love, joy, warmth, courage, conviction, faithfulness, prayer, holiness, a message that is preached and lived, a desire to reach out to others. Sadly 5 of the 7 reports reveal either failing churches or churches with serious flaws. Historically it is the commended churches that survive to this day.

So what are the questions that we must ask ourselves of our church? May I suggest four for our serious consideration? 1) Is ours a church in which the gospel is preached and modelled? (Are we a gospel shaped church?) 2) Do I attend church mainly for what I can get out of it, or for what I can contribute? (Are we spectators or players?) 3) Is my church one I can recommend to my friends, bearing in mind that it accepts me? (How attractive is my church?) 4) If the answers to any of these disturb me then what am I going to do about it? (NB Moaning is not an option, but a cop out. One headmaster told his school parents, "You can mutter all you like outside the school gates, but unless you come direct to me nothing will change" ). One of the marks of maturity is the ability to learn and grow from past mistakes. The immature either blame others or pretend that nothing is wrong. Jesus loves us too much to let us off the hook For believe it, Jesus loves us and his church so much that he is not content to let us be but yearns for us to become what we are, something beautiful for God.