How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church Paperback – April 16, 2019

I read Smith's Slow Church that he wrote with John Pattison, which is a great introduction to that How the Body of Christ Talks builds upon. This solo effort is less casual in language than Slow Church, which is quite appropriate to the matter at hand, how we communicate with each other to be able to do the work the previous book describes.This deep, careful look at how we communicate well and poorly within our faith communities (this is written with Christian communities in mind, but could also be used in other practices of faith) is extremely helpful as we look at how we might transform how we grow as followers of Christ. It is also an excellent guide on how we can use our incarnational theology - bodily presence with each other and with God - to undergird the use of standard good communication skills used outside of the church.There are many good books on how we can create community well, within and outside of the church, but How the Body of Christ Talks holds a special place in getting to the roots of how we begin to build that community through the trust that is built with thoughtful, regular, challenging conversations. The conversations we have within faith communities can give life or they can break us completely. Learning to communicate well with one another is not just about making our church communities more welcoming or bring consistency to the way we speak inside and outside of church life, but can transform our hearts, minds and actions. This book can help us be better Christians, period.

Chris is a gift to the Church. He knows who he is: an admitted book nerd (may his tribe increase!). He understands where he lives: an urban neighborhood that has changed dramatically over the decades. He deeply knows the church he belongs to: one that has chosen to stay through the changes rather than fleeing to pursue suburban utopia. And he has experienced the difficulties of very different people learning how to talk about their differences.I can't think of a more timely subject. Social media has morphed from cute cat videos to an acerbic battleground where everyone who disagrees is instantly maligned as a moron, bigot, or deceiver. We can do better.If you have to label me, I'm a middle-aged white male conservative Protestant evangelical Christian pastor. That's far from everything I am, but you get the idea: when you read that list, you immediately imagine I'm either with you or against you. If you imagine I'm against you, a whole lot of assumptions come along with that, thanks to some of the terrible ways "my tribe" has addressed issues of disagreement.Chris challenges us to go deeper, because Christ's Church includes a vast array of characters. Like it or not, we're family. Forever. We've been fighting for far too long. And it sure looks like it's getting worse lately."How the Body of Christ Talks" is heavily grounded in research. Rather than trying to win over the reader primarily through dramatic stories, Chris' approach is to lay out the facts, references provided, and then offer the occasional story that fleshes out how one might move forward. Some of the stories come from the church where he is a member. Others come from churches in other parts of the U.S. who are likewise learning how to intentionally engage in conversations, including on difficult subjects.Along the way, Chris offers a few examples of systematic approaches to congregational conversation. Due to the complexity of talking about differences, these systems provide tracks to run on that make it more likely to move ahead together, rather than crash into one another with the concomitant casualties and quitting so prevalent these days."How the Body of Christ Talks" is not an easy read, but it is worth reading. I suspect Chris & I have some differences in doctrine. Of course I think my view is right. Ah, yes, that's why we need books and conversations like this! Chris is comfortable bringing the reader into his experience, without pretending to have everything perfectly figured out. If you're open to learning from fellow Christians whom you may disagree with, "How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church" may serve you well.

In an environment of divisiveness in our society, which has bled into our churches, the unity of the Body of Christ is at stake. Using the metaphor of an actual biological body, Chris Smith gives the American church a way to unify itself again: conversation.The Apostle Paul tells us that the Body of Christ is akin to the human body. Hands, feet, ears, eyes. Anyone with a body (hopefully all of us) knows that these parts are different: they look different, they feel different, they move differently, they have different uses. And yet, if our bodies are healthy, all of these parts will work together towards one goal. Whenever one of these parts is unhealthy, it doesn’t work the way it should. We visit the doctor in order to get our bodies and it’s subsequent parts to talk once again. The same, Smith concludes, has to be done in the church.With experience behind him and examples set to inspire, Smith gives us a pathway to conversation, as well as practical tips to get the most out of the exercise. This process is not quick and could end up in places we don’t expect, but talking with each other, learning about and from each other, is essential to growing together and being of the same mind.I received an advanced copy of this book.

I read this book because of the author's reputation, I was offered a free advance copy for my honest opinion and review, and because I knew, down deep, I needed to read what is written herein. I am a pastor and a professor, and I want to learn how to listen as a part of the Body of Christ. I revised my review on June 22, 2019 to reflect more on how valuable an aid this book is for my reflection and actions. It is tremendous. And I think it will serve you well, too. One reviewer suggested using this in combination with Slow Church. Yes! That is a marvelous suggestion. I also think it will be a wonderful tool for sessions, consistories, boards of deacons, and vestries. I can see that small groups in the parish can benefit, too.