How do you talk about faith?

In a few pastoral circumstances this week, I had several conversations with many people, about faith and calling- I was in a few spaces as a cleric, and these are not uncommon conversations. Some folks ask for prayer, some ask for information, some ask about my marital status (!!!)

One person this week was telling me that they aren’t sure if they believe in God. (Again, not an uncommon conversation to have). But they did say that they have read the scriptures, and they attend church from time to time; and while their faith is questioned, they said that being part of a community of believers was important to them.

They said it makes them feel that they are kinder, more connected to their neighbours, that they want to be a better person – basically that it makes them feel better to be part of the faith community than they do without it. They said they weren’t sure about the concepts of resurrection, heaven, etc., but that regardless of the promises for eternity, they were happy about the way they were living their life now.

It was a beautiful conversation; where this person allowed themselves to be vulnerable, and to be honest about their faith journey. And it reiterated for me the beauty and significance of being in community: that we hold one another up, we hold space for questions and queries, we accept wherever we are in our beliefs, we accompany one another without judgment or criticism, or forcing our expectations and opinions on others.

It was also a conversation starter as we sat around a table, as others started sharing of their experiences, the teachings of faith and morality that they had learned along the way, the sharing of wisdom from many perspectives. At the core, everyone was expressing that whatever their belief, they wanted to live peaceably with one another and with the earth, and that they wanted to leave this world a better place for those who come after.

Sometimes theology happens like this: in unplanned yet comfortable conversations around a table. It happens when we are willing to listen and to hear, to feel safe enough to open our hearts to others, and to be that safe space for others to open up to us.
It’s the community that dwells in sacred time and space, where the Spirit of the divine exceeds our words and our rationality – and simply is: a guiding force of love for us to follow.