In a recent interview with The Barna Group, Mary Schaller of Q Place provided excellent insight into our present western culture and the skill that is needed for artful spiritual conversations.  Her focus is engagement first over any other agenda.  “If you have not taken the time to get to know me, why do you think I’ll go to church with you?”

Ms. Schaller rightly points out there are many people who “really aren’t interested in going outside of their comfort zone to a church setting where they will simply listen to a presentation that isn’t likely to give them the opportunity to work through their own spiritual questions.”  Her recommendation (which I embrace wholeheartedly) is to create safe spaces for real talk, real questions, and real community.  It is when people see you actually care for them that spiritual conversations will have profoundness and deeper resonance in their spiritual journey.

Please read the interview here and tell me what you think.