Odd Interview Questions. “What?”

Ah, interviews. You never know what you are going to get into. Most every preacher has a ton of stories on them. They can be done right and they can be a train wreck. We asked: “What’s the oddest question you’ve ever been asked in an interview for a job with a church?” What follows are some of the most interesting answers we got (and maybe a few comments from us). And, then a crazy story of an interview I had. Remember, primary purpose of THIS post is just foolishness.

“Is your wife submissive to you?” (Uh, let’s see...I think she told me to answer that “yes.”)

Are you for Alabama or Auburn? (I’m not sure why the person that submitted this one thought it was an odd question! It’s obviously a vital question!)

I was asked to accept the work but keep it quiet because they had promised to try out other preachers. (“So, we’re going to lead with deceit?”)

I was timidly asked over the phone by one of the elders, you don’t have any racial things going on do you? (Huh?)

The most recent was "Which day of the week do you take off?"  My response was "I thought I only worked one day a week!"   7 of the 8 elders laughed!  (Well, played.)

Do you know the difference between Coastal Christians and Intercostal Christians? (“Hmmm? One baptizes in baptistries and the other in the ocean?”)

Did I vote in the last election? (“Did you?”)

What is your credit score? (I predict this will be a routine question in the not to distant future.)

Do you use ONLY the KJV? (“No, sometimes I preach out of the Greek text? Is that OK?”)

I was asked if I would be interested in mowing the lawn for the church building along with the lawn for the preacher's house. (Been there, done that.)

"What is your wife going to do?" I asked, "Why do you want to know? Are you going to pay her too?" (And, you didn’t get the job, right?)

Do you preach as good as Dale Jenkins.  Just kidding.  What is the least amount of money you will take to come to this church? (If I had a dollar for every time that first question was asked....I couldn’t buy a Krystal)

Do you play Golf? (“By ‘play’ what exactly do you mean?”) Side note, most every question asked, is the result of a past experience.

What is your view of the Masonic lodge. Asked from a Mason on the search committee. (“What is your view of the KKK?”)

On a scale of 1-10, how conservative are you? (“Your scale or Christ’s?”)

I was young, real young. The congregation did not have elders so they invited all the men into a room and for over 2 hours fired questions at me. Theological questions, practical questions, “how would you” questions. I have always loved Q&A time, so I was loving it. 

Until. BIll asked: “Do you split the sex?” I was confused, stunned, totally unsure of what he meant. Well, he was an older man, maybe I misunderstood the question. “Would you repeat the question?” “Do you split the sex?” Maybe I was being set up, see how this quay handles himself on his feet, if we can trip him up. I paused...as long as I could. I thought, what could he mean? 

In my mind I was thinking: “No, and that would be none of your business.” 

Finally, Ronnie, said. “Brother Bill, I’m not sure I understand what you are asking.” Whew, I wasn’t the only one. He said, “Like, when you preach, do you split the sex. Do you call out the Baptists and Methodists? Do you split the sects?”

Some things sound different than they look!

And, everyone in the room had a relieved laugh.

What’s the oddest one you’ve been asked?