The 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations
"Walking Alongside People Who Believe Differently" (front cover)
Title: The 9 Arts of Spiritual ConversationsAuthor: Mary Schaller & John Crilly
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Release Date: May 1, 2016
ABOUT THE BOOK
Often, it doesn’t seem so. It can feel scary, awkward, and uncomfortable as we try to navigate loaded questions and different perspectives. Even the most faithful of believers sometimes get stumped. But can you imagine if we, as Christians, simply spent time with people who are far from God and provided a safe place to talk about spiritual matters? If we listened to them and discovered what was really important to them? After all . . . it’s what Jesus did. And it’s what you can do too.
Drawing straight from the life and ministry of Jesus, The 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations offers simple practices to help you build relationships with people who believe differently. Anyone who has read and appreciated Becoming a Contagious Christian or Just Walk across the Room won’t want to miss this book on creating a safe space to have natural, loving, and spiritual conversations with others.
Love God, love people. Could evangelism really be
that simple?
Often, it doesn’t seem so. It can feel scary, awkward, and uncomfortable as we try to navigate loaded questions and different perspectives. Even the most faithful of believers sometimes get stumped. But can you imagine if we, as Christians, simply spent time with people who are far from God and provided a safe place to talk about spiritual matters? If we listened to them and discovered what was really important to them? After all . . . it’s what Jesus did. And it’s what you can do too.
Drawing straight from the life and ministry of Jesus, The 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations offers simple practices to help you build relationships with people who believe differently. Anyone who has read and appreciated Becoming a Contagious Christian or Just Walk across the Room won’t want to miss this book on creating a safe space to have natural, loving, and spiritual conversations with others.
MY THOUGHTS
I don't know about you, but I tend to get gun-shy about speaking in public or sharing about my faith openly with those who believe differently, especially with family members. When I saw this title, The 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations by Mary Schaller and John Crilly, I thought, "OK, that seems straightforward enough. Let's give it a try." With the 9 arts being the art of noticing, praying, listening, asking questions, loving, welcoming, facilitating, serving together and sharing, the authors are able to be keep it segmented and to the point, yet still provide informative guidance.
"The first and most important reason to share your faith in Jesus should always be genuine love for the other person, not your own agenda or a sense of obligation...The second reason to share our faith in Christ is that we sincerely believe the gospel has met our deepest need and will meet others' deepest need." (198)
There's much to take in from The 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations. In due time and with prayers, I hope my mind and ears be open with no hesitation to share meaningful spiritual conversation with those who believe differently, keeping in mind to listen and learn from others what is important to them. Let us share our stories and build our relationships.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Tyndale House Publisher for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Mary Schaller is
president of Q Place, a ministry that empowers Christians to engage in
meaningful conversations about God with people who believe differently. After
founding three technology-related business ventures in Silicon Valley and the
Boston high-tech corridor, Mary turned her attention to ministry in 1999,
becoming a minister of small groups at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in the
San Francisco bay area. In 2006 she graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary
with a Master of Divinity. She is the author of How to Start a Q Place and the
coauthor of The 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations book and small group
curriculum. Mary and her husband, Paul, who have three adult children and four
grandchildren, live in the Chicago area.
John Crilly is the
son of a construction worker and is married to a farmer's daughter. He spent
nearly twenty-three years in the marketplace in leadership and project
management positions and four years as the Q Place national field director.
Shortly after he graduated as an engineer from the University of Illinois
(Champaign-Urbana), John's life was radically transformed by Jesus Christ. With
a new heart and passion for helping others discover God, John directed his
enthusiasm and energy into seeker small group and sports ministry. He has
helped equip others in the seeker small group movement by training adults,
church leaders and university students. As a writer, poet, and certified
professional life coach, John led the development of the Q Place training
curriculum, The 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations. John is passionate about
loving, inviting, and introducing people to Jesus--and encouraging and
equipping others to do the same.
John has been
married to Danielle since 1990. They live in the Chicago area, where they love
their neighbors.
#EarlyBirdDiscount ENDS in 3 weeks! Meet 29+ authors + TONS of giveaways + #Freebies! https://t.co/Ejx8oTXpCZ pic.twitter.com/bs7yk0nuZk— Just Commonly (@JustCommonly) April 14, 2016
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