Editor’s note: This article is the third in a three-part series by Todd Pheifer, the author of Let’s Talk!: A Guide to Awkward Conversations and Unifying Dialogue in the Church. Pick up the book on Amazon and follow along on The Banner’s Facebook page for discussion about the book and its important topic.
Be honest. Do you prefer light topics when talking with your fellow church attenders? Would you rather stick with polite, safer discussions that include the weather, local sports, and upcoming social gatherings? Does the idea of openly addressing politics, theology, or polarizing social issues make you uneasy? If so, you aren’t alone—but that doesn’t mean such feelings should be embraced.
When it comes to dialogue in the church, we know how we are supposed to answer the question about conversation preference. We are encouraged to pursue conversational depth, personal growth, and opportunities for discipleship. But these encounters can be awkward. We might struggle to articulate our viewpoints in public settings or in some cases, if we’re honest, we might actually be unsure of our own beliefs. We tend to avoid topics that might make us feel vulnerable or appear uninformed.
For churches who want to encourage deeper dialogue, programs can play an important role. But what looks good on paper will not simply leap from the page and stimulate profound shifts in institutional culture. (If only program planning were that easy!) A playbook or script requires willing players. Programming will not lead to meaningful change without thoughtful and resolute commitment from leadership and the congregation. Designed programs can be a good framework for change, but mission is driven by interpersonal relationships and actions that sync with messaging. With that in mind, here are some program ideas to consider:
Books
Admittedly, a book group or all-church study is not a particularly novel idea, but the key in today’s society is its facilitation. Some groups have a leader who recaps and expands on each chapter, perhaps with some form of a lecture. This format can be valuable when content needs additional explanation, but it doesn’t always encourage dialogue or questions. This is why prepared discussion questions and the ability to facilitate conversation is a key qualification for group leaders if dialogue is the goal. One other factor to consider is the alignment (or lack thereof) of book content with the core values of the church. This is a more complex discussion, but it is reasonable to suggest that Christians should regularly engage with diverse content that challenges their thinking. This provides opportunities to evaluate personal worldviews and examine pathways of apologetics. In other words, book groups in a church should consider titles that explore a wide range of ideas and use them as an opportunity for thoughtful discernment (Phil. 1:9-11).
Panels
Panels are another familiar program option that can have interesting effects on dialogue in congregational life. Outside panelists can be considered, but it could be a wonderful opportunity for congregational members to share some of their experiences and thoughts on various topics. Some level of expertise on the subject obviously helps, but part of discipleship is about individuals being willing to tell their stories and be more transparent in a public forum. This type of format might be awkward for some, as there are people in the church who prefer to keep some of their viewpoints private. But panels can deepen relationships and provide opportunities for panel members to research, articulate, and evaluate their own perspectives. Rotating panelists will diversify the voices being heard and add value and depth to this type of program.
Voices
Speaking of voices, bringing in outside speakers can have multiple benefits. They can inject expertise that might not exist in the congregation, which increases knowledge and works against groupthink. But the challenge when inviting outside speakers is striking a balance between endorsement and education. As with Scripture, one needs to discern whether what’s being said is recommending or simply reporting. Therefore, some leaders might offer a disclaimer that the views of a speaker do not necessarily reflect that of the church. Even with a disclaimer, though, a church that brings in a speaker to cover a particular topic might automatically be viewed as favoring the speaker’s perspective. Regardless, an outside speaker can provide an opportunity for post-talk analysis through which leaders can again walk the congregation through a process of biblical discernment and reactions to what was shared by the speaker’s message (1 Thess. 5:19-21). (One additional caveat: Congregations should be mindful of their nonprofit status when it comes to certain topics.)
Connections
Humans tend to homogenize. This is a fancy way of saying that people tend to seek out individuals who are similar to them. Hanging out with those who have common interests is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can limit collective knowledge and perspective. Therefore, churches might consider a program that facilitates social connections among two to four individuals who would not normally socialize. These gatherings would not have to be long, and they could be either open-ended or guided by a list of get-to-know-you questions. The ultimate goal would be to expand relationships, find commonalities, and begin to foster a level of trust that might lead to better conversations down the road. Conversations might be awkward at first, but that is the reality of many relationships. Dialogue has to start somewhere.
Responses
For better or for worse, we live in a society where people can leave feedback or participate openly in many different discussions. This includes forums such as the comment sections of online articles or chat functions in video conferencing services. Sermons, on the other hand, are generally a non-participation sport. What would it look like for congregants to submit questions digitally during the sermon and have the pastor answer a few at the end? If that puts too much pressure on the pastor to think on their feet, are there ways for congregants to have questions answered during the week or in the following Sunday’s service? Leaders should ask themselves if there is a clear, consistent culture of encouragement for the congregation to treat the sermon as a dialogue rather than a one-way transmission.
In closing, it is important to revisit the concept of commitment. There are many causes, movements, and beliefs that people verbally identify as important. That doesn’t mean people will put those expressed views into action. For dialogue to become a part of a congregation’s culture, there must be diligent encouragement from leaders and buy-in from the congregation. This might require more than just emails from the office, bulletin notes, and announcements from the pulpit. Those are part of the process, but they are also passive. Obviously churches do not want to coerce people into participation, but there is something to the idea that enthusiasm should be contagious. Dialogue must be modeled and continually linked to mission. This includes personal invitations to participate. Ready? Let’s talk!