“There are no atheists in the death zone on Mount Everest, everyone believes in something bigger than themselves up there.”
“Sorry for my language, Paul, I didn’t realise you were a pastor.”
“Can you tell me more about what your church is like?”
Those are all real conversations I’ve had over the past month at my Tuesday night trail running group. It’s a group of men and women who love the outdoors, love running, and love talking honestly about life. And almost every week, someone asks me about my faith in Jesus.
Whenever that happens, I try to share something of my love for Jesus and my love for City on a Hill. But often I walk away thinking, I wish I’d said more. Or, I wish I’d answered differently.
In 1 Peter 3:15, we’re told:
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
I love that Peter starts with worship. Revere Christ as Lord. Treasure him. Delight in him. Honour him as our risen and reigning King. Because when our hearts are captured by Jesus, speaking about him becomes natural.
But Peter also says: be prepared.
If I’m honest, I don’t often feel prepared. Most of the time I’m caught off guard by questions about faith. That’s why I’m so grateful for wise Christians who’ve thought deeply about how to speak about Jesus with both conviction and compassion.
One person who’s helped me enormously is Rebecca McLaughlin. Years ago, I read her book Confronting Christianity, and I was struck by her clarity, wisdom, and deep love for people asking hard questions. I still return to this book often.
So let me ask you:
Do you want to be better prepared to share the hope you have in Jesus?
If so, come along this Saturday morning for our Salt and Light seminar.
We’ll have the privilege of hearing from Rebecca McLaughlin via video link as she helps us think about how we can be salt and light for Jesus in the world around us.
The seminar runs from 10:00am–11:45am at 39 Webb Street, with coffee from 9:45am.
I’d love to see you there,
Paul