AUTHOR: C. Christopher Smith
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2019, (224 pages).
1) Setting Out the Journey
2) Spirituality for the Journey
3) Sustaining the Journey
The author is convicted about the power of conversations to unite the Church. Part One offers us some wisdom and tips to begin the conversations. Smith poses the fundamental question: "How can our churches initiate and sustain practices of conversation?" We turn first to the Person of the Holy Trinity, how they co-exist eternally as three persons and as one God. They indwell one another in mutual presence and fully attentive to one another. They exist together in unity and community. They share the gift of community with us that we too can flourish as individuals built for conversations. The dynamics of conversations include knowing the size of the group; recognizing the homogeneity of the group; and understanding the values and challenges of formal/informal levels of conversations. This has to do with the depth of intimacy and the cultural connections needed for parties to talk. He addresses the topics of conversation such as what to talk and what not to talk; when to go into abstract theory; should we deal with highly charged topics; what are the ground rules of conversations; how do we embody Christ in our conversations; etc. Smith mentions a resource called "Congregational Formation Initiative" that helps us explore the seven different types of conversations and the purpose of such exercises. Sermon discussions are also recommended. What to talk about will also need to be considered with how we are going to talk about it. There are many benefits to such conversations. For instance, there is the healing potential of "Open Space Technology" that raises a question that could be openly explored by all. Another method is "Appreciative Inquiry" that helps church communities to focus on an important goal; such as seeking out a vision for the Church; or some relevant topic of importance to the future of the community. "World Cafe" is a method useful for structuring conversations that allow diverse topics and multiple levels of interaction.
In Part Two, the author uncovers more three practices toward better conversations. Prayer is conversation. It is also a way of being with God. In talking about spirituality, prayer, abiding, and preparation are all dimensions interconnected with one another. We cultivate community through conversational prayer with one another. This means being attentive to one another as individuals speak. It means going with the flow, encouraging one another as we go along. It includes periods of silence and listening. Smith notes that part of our inability to get along is due to our difficulty in seeing others as fellow members created in the image of God. In prayer, we become aware that God loves us all the same and that there is no hierarchy. Conversations enable us to talk through our struggles. We learn to abide in Christ and in one another's support. We recognize the problem of sin and seek a way to live meaningfully. We learn about being Church through participation not consumption. Preparation is a way in which our conversations can help one another. For instance, even as we converse, we are being engaged in preparing ourselves and our responses to one another. We grow through learning to ask questions other than simply dishing out answers.
In Part Three, we are given tools to help sustain what we have developed. A key point is that communities are defined via their stories, and stories are made through the art of conversations. Smith shows us that the early church in the book of Acts establish their sense of mission and identity through the gospel story. This is the central theme in their identity as Christians. In the same way, people in every era are identified through their stories. In our modern world, there are substories like consumerism, individualism, materialism, and so on that are already defining who we are. The challenge for us is to counter these stories that make us less than who we are, and to let the Word of God define us more and more. Even conflicts could be opportunities to shape our stories. Learn to distinguish between conflicts and disagreements. The former breaks up a community. The latter creates space for understanding differences.
My Thoughts
Books of this nature is rare. People often assume that talk is just talk. Period. Few would even imagine that conversations would not only tell the stories of our communities, they could even shape our futures. It takes a book like this to remind us once again the power of conversations, and in particular, the opportunities we have before us to let the gospel shape us through talk. Let me give three thoughts about reading this book.
First, we need to take seriously the author's proposition that conversations shape our stories, both individually and as a community. This is especially so when we are called to be bearers of the gospel. This does not mean turning every conversation into an evangelistic outreach. That would make us guilty of having ulterior motives when trying to strike up any conversations with especially unbelievers. What we need to be more aware of is to see conversations as opportunities to let God's Word define us. We learn about prayer as a form of conversational spirituality between God, our communities, and ourselves. We learn to talk through our problems instead of choosing simply to talk about good stuff. For without the freedom to talk about anything, we will not be able to grow totally and truthfully. Like the issue of disagreements and conflicts. Sometimes we fail to make that distinction and abandon any talk that resembles any negativity. If we do that, our relationships will only limp along with nice to hear news. Our conversations ought to reflect life as it is, ups, downs, joys, sadness, and the whole potpourri of what it means to be human.
Second, the book gives us ways in which to initiate and sustain such conversations. The Appendices are gifts to help us do just that. We have "Sample Conversational Ground Rules" to help us maintain a level of understanding before we talk. There exhibit openness and the need for inclusive discussions. For that matter, I want to say something about silence. A good conversation is also learning when not to talk. I know of situations in which someone has lost a loved one. In the midst of pain and sadness, silent presence could very well be more important than spoken words. Then there is also the issue of language. How can people communicate when they speak different languages? This is not limited to the language per se, but also cultural differences. Smith is able to identify this as one of the greatest challenges in our increasingly pluralistic world. Reading this book opens readers up to a wider repertoire of conversational differences and situations.
Finally, we all need help in learning how to communicate and converse well. This book has been a useful resource to do just that. However, there is still something lacking in this book: Small Talk. Even things as simple as "small talk" are valuable opportunities to connect. I remember Eugene Peterson wrote something in the past about small talk and their invaluable ways in which they could build up relationships. The Church needs more of such reminders. He points out small talk as a form of ministry "that specializes in the ordinary." Smith builds on this with a focus on the Church as the body of Christ. His central question is: "How can our churches initiate and sustain practices of conversation?" should also include the topic of small talk. I am sure he has many insights to this.
C Christopher Smith is co-author of the book "Slow Church" and also editor of the Englewood Review of Books.
Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Brazos Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
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