Engaging in Spiritual Conversations

Do you struggle to share your faith with a neighbour or friend who might be far from God? Have you wrestled to have a meaningful conversation with someone, yet find it challenging to bring your faith into the dialogue? You’re not alone. For the past four weeks, over 20 people participated in a virtual training called Engaging in Spiritual Conversations. 

Together the participants considered the current culture, one that can sometimes be resistant to conversations of faith. Participants were invited to consider the homes and people in their own neighbourhoods, and began using scripture such as the Lord’s Prayer, to pray for their neighbours. 

Each week involved interactive learning around scripture as well as engaging practices such as good listening skills and asking good questions. In a very personal way, each Thursday afternoon men and women were coming together, sharing stories, and considering ways that their stories might connect with someone for whom they were praying. 

The group has agreed to meet again in a month, to share stories of how things are going, to support one another, and perhaps to raise a question or two.  

Here are some comments from those who participated in the workshops:

• We learned effective ways to listen and share with the help of the Holy Spirit. I still need to learn to be more aware of the present moment and keep in tune with God's leading.

• I learned that it is very important to really LISTEN to your neighbours so that you can show you care and refer back to things they mentioned. The thresholds were interesting to learn about.

The workshop was a joint effort between Global Coffee Break and Resonate Global Mission. Coffee Break is already outreach oriented, so this training is a helpful piece for leaders to engage culture and share their faith. Resonate, through it’s Go Local work, also has a focus on building relationships and reaching out in your neighbourhood. 

For more information or to inquire about the next session, please contact Diane or Brent Averill at [email protected], or Marian Lensink at [email protected].

Have you engaged in a spiritual conversation with someone that you can share?