5 Things to Consider When Introducing the Church (or any belief/topic) to Strangers
Alexis Leonard & Greg Synnestvedt | Friday, December 9, 2011 Greg and Alexis offer clear advice for how to introduce the church to the unacquainted. They emphasize personal integrity and the human relationship, rather than focusing on the mere transmission of fact and opinion. -Editor.
1. Don’t start with particulars—especially heated topics.
When introducing the New Church you should stay away from details and complex teachings. There are some details that are fairly easy to grasp, but they are not important for the first conversation, no matter how important they seem. For example, you would not want to kick off a conversation by explaining the intricate process one goes through as they enter the World of Spirits. Swedenborg’s authorship is also something that need not come into the initial conversation. Instead, discuss the New Church’s doctrine. Give the doctrine authority by saying “my church has always believed… [insert foundational teaching].”
Wondering about the inspiration for this article? Look up the New Church, which is based on the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg.