Persuasion 151 | Church Talk, with C. Christopher Smith

Much of the church talk happening today is seen as negative by the watching world. Whether intentional or not, when people of faith talk about current issues, fear and anger are heard and observed. This is off-putting (to say the least) for those who do not know Jesus. Why would anyone be drawn to a faith whose adherents use the same vitriol as those they are opposing? Something is amiss when Christians are more passionate about winning that day’s internet squabble than they are about reaching the world with the glorious gospel.

In this episode of Persuasion, Erin Straza and Hannah Anderson continue their Talking about Talk series with guest C. Christopher Smith. Chris is founding editor of Englewood Review of Books, co-author of Slow Church: Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus, and author of Reading for the Common Good and the forthcoming How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church. Many years of leading and helping Christians have good conversations about difficult topics makes Chris a welcome addition to this series. The conversation addresses the ways our current church talk is devoid of power because it isn’t viewed as connecting the interdependent parts of one body. How can Christians grow in their conversational skill to relate matters of faith with grace and in truth? Is there hope for a new era that takes pleasure in the art of conversation? What changes must we embrace to see the church take on the role of healer in our relationships and in our society?

Listen in for dialogue on questions like these, then continue the conversation on Twitter @PersuasionCAPC or in the CAPC members-only community on Facebook.

Erin Straza: Web / Twitter

Hannah Anderson: Web / Twitter

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