Walking on the Shore

This book will be of interest to all who see gathering in small groups as essential to the life and mission of the contemporary church, and especially so for group leaders.    

Spiritual conversation, as described, involves exploring the interface between life and faith because in it we are prompted to articulate a response to the reality in which we find ourselves.  Faith is wholesome and life-giving when it resonates with our normal experience, illuminating to a significant degree all that life brings to our attention.

Faith implies uncertainty.  At some moments of heightened awareness there is such clarity to our experience, but on other occasions we can find ourselves in such darkness that it threatens everything we trust and believe.

Mark Davis suggests that faith-sharing groups gathered around particular issues will encourage reflection and conversation, especially if there is no deliberate intention to move the group in one direction or another.  There will be movement, growth and learning but it will be left to the spirit of God and the goodwill of the participants present.  Learning will take place, but this will happen as a consequence of group members exploring the issues and sharing their experience.

Christine Tebbutt