Several years ago, I heard a teaching about the curse of knowledge.
It goes like this:
Once you know something,
you forget what it’s like
not to know that thing.
That’s so true. And especially applicable to the world of faith and church.
Once you know the bible stories, you forget what it’s like not to know them.
Once you know the passion and the logic of the gospel, you forget what it’s like not to know it.
Once you know the church’s music, rituals, and customs, you forget what it’s like not to know them.
Once you know the rhythms and quirks of a specific congregation, you forget what it’s like not to know them.
As pastors, one of our jobs is to step outside the curse of knowledge so that we can explain the gospel, the bible, and the church to people who don’t know what we know.
As leaders, we need to step outside the curse of knowledge as we orient people to the unique culture of our work places and our congregations.