Are you carefully watching the spiritual elements in our world? Have you seen the way Christianity is shifting and spreading, morphing into something that we have never seen before? Have you considered what is happening in our world spiritually? Are you observing of what God is doing? If so, it will come as no surprise that wonderful conversations are occurring about what God is calling the church to be and to do. People are asking afresh about how God is glorified and how God’s kingdom advances. Even better, these are global conversations involving folks from different religious groups. (They are global in the sense that they are occurring around the world; they are global in the sense that they are crossing typical religious lines.) One can personally find and join such conversations in virtually every part of the world. One can join such conversations online. Whether these conversations are centered on certain concepts (for example, SIMPLE church, small groups, or leadership), or simply represent people who are trying to hear God afresh, the conversations are almost always lively and challenging.
Around the world, ministers, church leaders, and Christians from all walks of life are discussing and rethinking the way we do church, the ways we talk about the gospel, and the ways that we partner with God in God’s work in the world. If you have not talked recently with someone with whom you disagree religiously, I challenge you to see if you can strike up a conversation somewhere. Be willing to share; be willing to listen. Listen and seek God. You might be surprised!