Book encourages Methodists to 'talk of God'

LONDON - A recently published book from The Methodist Church here aims to encourage Methodists and other Christians to renew their ability to talk about God.


The book, based on a report that was enthusiastically received by the Methodist Conference last year, was written by the Discipleship and Church Membership Working Group.


Time to Talk of God, subtitled Recovering Christian conversation as a way of nurturing discipleship, is aimed at ordinary Christians. The book addresses the reasons why Christians can find it hard to talk about their faith, and how easy it is for churches and congregations to develop habits that make Christian conversation hard.


Ms Janet Morley, Convenor of the working group that produced the report, said: "Methodism has a rich history of deepening discipleship through direct and honest conversation, but somewhere along the line we have lost the knack of doing so.


"We produced a report for the Conference that was willing to discuss our weakness and to develop ways to help people regain their confidence. But we wanted the book to be a rich, vibrant resource that people will enjoy reading even while it challenges and encourages them."


The richly-illustrated book contains group and individual exercises, prayers, Bible passages and practical guides to shifting church culture so that talking to each other about God is easier and more natural. - Methodist Church House, London.