This is an important topic.
Recently the Sydney Morning Herald had an article titled: "The five biggest money mistakes" and this article could easily be converted into an article for church growth and church facilities construction and how best to handle debt and investments.
The article was highlighted by its first sentence: "One wrong decision can put your financial future at severe disadvantage" - so too a church building debt decision.
The five money mistakes are not understanding transaction costs, savings and mortgage issues, insurance, off-the-cuff comments and finally, frightened by a little 'immediate' pain.
In his view the fourth point has a home truth that is so very applicable Christian truth.
The fourth point: "Succumbing to barbecue risk. That hot tip confided while someone flips sausages. It probably poses the greatest single danger to your prosperity. You never know how accurate the information is and even what's motivating it."
Why it's so dangerous
I am unaware whether Nicole Pederson-McKinnon who wrote the article has had any personal experience in this matter, I would be surprised if she had not, for everyone talks over the barbeque, at the coffee shop, with acquaintances and friends over a work desk, at Mother's Club, at the sporting event, after church, wherever.
Sadly, as Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon has noted so eloquently, this is where the latest hot-tip is given on any number of issues, let alone major financial ones that could very easily send someone 'down the chute' alarmingly quickly.
This is the place where people are off guard, relaxed, with people who are known and quiet often trusted, and out pops this latest hot-tip and one's usual careful circumstance of considerations are somehow - put aside and thus begins a troubling journey that leads nowhere good!
Translating this to the Christian religion
This too is precisely what occurs regarding the Christian religion, that those most ill-informed and moreover without any true understanding of theology and a puerile grasp of Bible knowledge - becomes the "great authority".
I have seen this happen time and again. The soft conversational tones around the barbeque (or anywhere social) within a friendly and non-threatening environment creates situations whereby the misguided
a) sprouts forth "golden mouth ideas" and
b) "simplified philosophies for life"
These are damaging and very difficult to redress. Moreover, one does not know the motivation of such comments as they might be 'speak that passes time' or 'a world view that is diligently opposed to Christianity'.
It becomes the classic diversionary tactic to create distance from the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, this truth is Jesus died on Calvary for the sin of the world.
A Way Forward
In such circumstances, the last thing one needs is a theological dispute in such friendly surroundings, where quoting Bible verses becomes counter-productive.
Rather, functioning on the same level in language, tone, friendly manner is crucial, and moreover a personal-testimony of answered prayer is a great way to turn the conversation to real life.
Paul's instruction to Timothy that he might be prepared to give a defence of the Gospel is incumbent upon every Christian, but Paul did not specify as to how that might be done, as every situation and conversation is different.
One way forward is offering encouragement to consider following Jesus Christ and in such a friendly and engaging manner that the 'conversation' becomes your champion vehicle. Over the barbecue or some other situation with friends, try it out!