An open conversation is a conversation about things of importance that are shared, and thus given a place in the conversation. An open conversation wants to keep open, enable development, provide stimulation. Thus, an open conversation is basically life-affirming and thus also faith-affirming.

Having a good conversation always means entering into a relationship, if only for the duration of a conversation. It is about true encounter, in which reality becomes visible and tangible. The reality of the other. My reality. The reality of the Gospel that speaks into this world and into our lives. But not all of this is always put on the table. It doesn’t have to be. There is a time for everything.

An open and good conversation has no hidden agenda, no secret intent to evangelize, no intent to persuade, no attempt to recruit, denigrate, portray someone as misleading, or otherwise manipulate.

If we are true, we will simply make everything grow into Him who is the head, Christ (Eph 4:15). It is not something we can bring about by force or strength, not by brute theology, and not by attachment to any “gifted preachers,” “true teachings,” or “liberating views.” None of this is that important. What is important is only what there are questions about. If there are no questions, or if they are still too far away, too hidden, then it is difficult to talk about them.

An open conversation must be desired.

A conversation can only take place if all parties want to have a conversation. An open conversation can only take place if all parties also want to meet. Encounter is the key word for lasting good conversations. Encounter is mutual interest, is mutual sympathy, is mutual invitation to invigorating openness – to whatever level.

If one could cultivate an open culture of conversation in Christian circles, in which even contradictory things are given a place, then this requires both a will to encounter and a mutual trust, as well as trust in God. The confidence that He will do everything well. Uniformity is never a goal. Fear of other opinions does not have to be. Let us trust that God is above our differing views. He can do it well, for each of us. Just as Paul writes to the Philippians:

“Brothers, I do not yet consider myself to have grasped it. But I do one thing: I forget what is behind me and reach out to what is before me. In this way I chase the goal, the prize of God’s calling above in Christ Jesus. All of us who have matured may be mindful of this; and if you are otherwise minded in anything, God will also reveal this to you. Meanwhile, in what we overtake others, we should be like-minded, to follow the basic rules according to the same guideline. Become my fellow imitators, brothers, and pay attention to those who walk as you have us as an example”.
Phil 3:13-17

An open conversation, as the apostle writes to the Colossians, is always marked by grace and salted with good beginnings:

“Let your word always be in grace and seasoned with salt, knowing how you should answer each one.”
Col 4:6

In congregations, churches and communities, certain behaviors quickly become entrenched. We use certain “pious” words or expressions. We may even be talking in Bible texts. We may be proud and happy to use Hebrew expressions casually or to perform certain actions. We may know our own tradition inside-out. All of these things may have value to us personally, but they can just as quickly get in the way of a real encounter. An encounter is not only valuable because the other person thinks as I think. As soon as we do that, we degrade the neighbor and thus ourselves.

Our humanity and our Christianity, our trust in God, our being in this world – it acquires value when we shape it congruently, when we cultivate encounters in it. An open conversation with people around us becomes an invigorating experience when we engage with each other. As far as I am concerned, I want to place Christ centrally, thanking God through Him. I don’t have to say that to anyone I’m in conversation with. But it changes everything. Because I know that our God and Father is working toward relationship, salvation, justification, reconciliation, and much more, every conversation can now be shaped by this reality. Not in pious words, but carried by real confidence.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free (Gal 5:1). Let us enter into this freedom. Let us admit this freedom to others. New doors are being opened.