
Christ Episcopal Church Dayton, Ohio
Initiative # 3: Embed Bible study, prayer, and spiritual intention in all church ministries starting with Foyers – introduce our spiritual intention through conversation starters to be used by our Foyer conveners.
ACTIONS
Sometimes, starting spiritual conversations in Foyers is a problem - where should one start and what should one talk about? Seventy-nine percent of our congregation is in the first two stages of the Spiritual Growth Continuum ("Exploring" or "Growing"). These individuals are exploring or committed to the faith but seek a deeper relationship with Jesus, yet they are unsure how to achieve this.
Using Forward Day by Day as a common conversation starter serves to foster spiritual connection, encourage shared reflection on scripture, and bridge social gaps through common experience. It provides a substantive starting point that goes beyond surface-level small talk. Because the meditations are written by a diverse range of lay people and clergy from various backgrounds, they offer a "wide range of witness" that can appeal to a broad audience. It provides a comfortable way for disciples to testify about their faith or start gospel conversations by sharing personal experiences related to the day's scripture. With versions in English, Spanish, and Braille, and a history dating back to 1935, it serves as a shared touchstone across different demographics.
Next Steps: Through word and deed, make Forward Day by Day available to everyone.