How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church
In today's highly charged social and political environment, we
often don't know how to talk well with others--especially with
people whose backgrounds differ from our own. C. Christopher
Smith, coauthor of the critically acclaimed and influential Slow
Church, addresses why conversation has become such a challenge
in the 21st century and argues that it is perhaps the most-needed
spiritual practice of our individualistic age.
Smith likens practicing conversation to the working of the human
body. Bodies are wondrous symphonies of diverse, intricate parts
striving for our health, and our health suffers when these parts
fail to converse effectively. Likewise, we must learn to converse
effectively with those who differ from us in the body of Christ so
we can embody Christ together in the world. In community, we learn
what it means to belong to others and to a story that is bigger
than ourselves.
Smith shows how church communities can be training hubs where we
learn to talk with and listen to one another with kindness and
compassion. The book explores how churches can initiate and sustain
conversation, offers advice for working through seasons of
conflict, suggests spiritual practices and dispositions that can
foster conversation, and features stories from several
congregations that are learning to practice conversation.
From the Back Cover
"A genuinely alternative voice to Church as
Usual"
"Chris Smith has become a genuinely alternative voice to Church as
Usual. The mode of communication in most churches on a typical
Sunday is preaching or teaching, whether in a Bible class or in the
pulpit. The art of conversation is neither taught nor embodied in
that form of communication. It is then no surprise that many
Christians have not learned to converse about faith or about their
spiritual journeys. How the Body of Christ Talks both talks
about conversation and illustrates how it can be done. I can't
recommend this book highly enough."
--Scot McKnight, Northern Seminary
"In a world full of talking heads and devoid of attentive ears,
Smith's practical book teaches us through poetic metaphors, useful
advice, and theological wisdom how to be present to one another.
How the Body of Christ Talks shows us a way of healthy,
soulful dialogue."
--Rev. Carol Howard Merritt, author of Healing Spiritual
Wounds
"Smith's writings are both beautiful in style and unique in their
clarity of thought. He takes a common subject and flips it on its
head, revealing new insights and sharpening old categories of
thought. In How the Body of Christ Talks, Smith helps us
understand the church in a unique way and revolutionizes our
thinking about speech and its role in who we are and what we should
be about as God's people. This book accomplishes the rare feat of
proving its thesis while illuminating many other facets of life. A
must-read for its powerful message and timely subject."
--Ken Wytsma, lead pastor of Village Church, Beaverton,
Oregon; author of Redeeming How We Talk
"At the core of every church is the wonder of conversation. Without
it we are empty. So open this book, delve deeply into the dynamics
of conversation. Explore Smith's suggestions for opening this space
and making way for God's healing power. Read How the Body of
Christ Talks and be schooled by one of the best in the art of
conversation."
--David Fitch, Northern Seminary; author of Faithful
Presence
Contents
Introduction: We Are Conversational Bodies
1.
Orienting Ourselves for the Journey: Theological Roots of
Conversation
Part 1: Setting Out on the
Journey
2. Learning the Dynamics of Conversation
3. What Will We Talk About?
4. The Healing Potential of Conversational Methods
Part 2: A Spirituality for the Journey
5. Conversation
as a Prayerful Way of Being
6. Abiding in the Messiness of Life
7. Preparing Our Whole Selves for Conversation
Part 3: Sustaining the Journey
8. Cultivating a Sense
of Mission and Identity
9. Sustaining Conversation through Conflict
10. Enmeshing Ourselves in the Dance of Community
Conclusion: Conversational Bodies Bearing
Witness
Appendix A: Sample Conversational Ground
Rules
Appendix B: Additional Resources on
Conversational Methods
Appendix C: Finding Common
Ground in Conversations on Sexuality
Product Details
- Title : How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church
- Author: Smith, C. Christopher
- Publisher: Brazos Press
- Publication Date: 2019
- ISBN: 9781493417056
