First start talking about current issues – war, inflation, border security, porch pirates, etc.
Then introduce the religion factor in general terms:
What do you feel the churches and other organizations in the nation together should do about [issue or problem]? What can we do together?
You could then ask whether he has ever heard his pastor (minister, priest, preacher) talk about that issue.
Which could lead to asking …
Just curious … what is the best sermon you’ve heard from your pastor?
Does he seem to have a favorite theme?
What would you want him to talk more about?
What advice does he give?
What do you find yourself wondering about the most?
What religious belief, whatever church might teach it, do you find most confusing?
If your church leader asked you to give a sermon, what would you talk about?
In short, know your friend’s pastor.
At some point in such conversations, your friend very well may return the favor and ask you the same question about your “pastor.” And away you go.
But if he doesn’t, the environment may still be ripe to get into details.
Has your pastor ever talked about … [the idea we lived with God in heaven before being born] [the last days before Christ’s Second Coming] [Christ’s original church] etc.?
If things feel right, talk about the future and the role of churches.
People always want government to solve things, but I wonder why more organizations aren’t doing more, including corporations, churches, you know.
Does your church/religion give advice about [issue] – how to prepare, how to solve it, how to deal with it?
Has your pastor ever given a sermon about [issue]?
Is there a particular doctrine or belief they would have you and me follow to solve the problem?
The idea of joining together as friends, or even as churches, sets the stage for further conversations in which his and your beliefs can be referenced.
An exchange of views is more productive than a lecture. It gives us a fair and unhampered chance to plant a mental seed.
Gary Lawrence is a public opinion researcher and author, most recently of Millions Believe As We Do But Haven’t Yet Found the Church.
