Coffee Shop Conversations

Making the Most of Spiritual Small Talk

By: Jonalyn Fincher, Dale Fincher

Narrated by: Dale Fincher, Jonalyn Fincher

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

In a world of designer spirituality, how do you talk to people about Jesus without offending them? This unabridged audio download of Coffee Shop Conversations, by Dale and Jonalyn Fincher, will provide you with the tools you need to have meaningful, tolerant, and respectful conversations about your faith with those who don't share your views.

©2010 Dale Fincher and Jonalyn Fincher (P)2010 Zondervan

Great practical insights for sharing your faith

I like this book a lot as it gives very practical insights for sharing your faith. Too often when a Christian shares their faith they are more interested in winning someone over than really getting to know the person and where they’re coming from. The authors help you to stop, think, listen and ask good questions. With greater understanding, it is easier to work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit to speak to the deeper needs of a person and share the faith in Jesus the Christian has found in their own personal life. There is no strategy or plan, or gimmick in this book. It is just learning how to be “real” with the people we talk with during our day to day encounters.

good, but...

-Audio was the ideal way to consume this book since it's read by the co-authors. their voices are engaging authentic and enjoyable.
-The discussion on "manners" was very practical in guiding our conversations in a respectful way. If only all Christians followed these guidelines.
-The stories and examples are relevant and seem genuine.

The authors focus primarily on engaging with 'spiritual designers', a growing category of people who reject religion, embrace spirituality, and share beliefs with many of the major world religions, but pick and choose what they believe based on their own preferences. while I do feel somewhat more prepared for a discussion with people in this category, the book doesn't really address conversations with agnostics or Christians in name only.

Also, be prepared for significant diversions into egalitarianism and spiritual abuse. While both topics are major reasons why some people have left the church or rejected Jesus, it seemed like the authors enjoyed the opportunity to jump on the hobby horse here and drive their point home. This could be especially frustrating for someone with a complementarian view of women's role.

Overall, very much worth reading. gave me plenty of things to think about so I can be better prepared for casual spiritual conversations. I hope it inspires many more to confidently and lovingly point people to Jesus.